Fresh Water Turtles at The Belize Zoo

Description

• Mesoamerican Slider (Bocotora): Known for its green to brown shell with orange circles, often found in Belize's freshwater bodies, feeding on vegetation and small prey.
• Red-eared Slider: An invasive species from the southeastern USA, identified by its red stripe. Competes with natives and should never be released into the wild.
• Central American River Turtle (Hicatee): Belize's largest freshwater turtle, nocturnal, feeding on plants and fruits, but critically endangered due to overhunting.
• Mexican Giant Musk Turtle: Recognized by its greenish-brown shell with raised ridges, a horned spine, and a strong bite, found in various aquatic environments.

Fun Facts

• The Central American River Turtle, or Hicatee, holds the title of being Belize's largest freshwater turtle, sometimes weighing over 25 lbs and living for more than 40 years.
• Red-eared Sliders, though visually striking with their red stripes, are invasive in Belize, posing threats to native turtles through resource competition and disease transmission.
• The Mexican Giant Musk Turtle is renowned for its powerful bite and adaptability, thriving in diverse aquatic environments.

Tripical Ratsnake

Common Name: Tropical Ratsnake
Scientific Name: Bocotora calpansaya
Spanish Name: Ratonera
Venom: Non-venomous

Description: The tropical ratsnake is easily recognized by its striking black and yellow coloration adorned with irregular markings spanning its entire body. This arboreal species can reach lengths of up to eight feet.

Habitat: Widely distributed across Belize, the tropical ratsnake inhabits diverse environments including lowland forests, secondary forests, pine savannas, and both northern and southern hardwood forests.

Natural History: Ratsnakes are predominantly arboreal but are known to descend to the ground in pursuit of prey. Their diet consists mainly of birds and rodents. Additionally, they reproduce by laying eggs, a characteristic trait of oviparous snakes.

Fer-De-Lance

Maximum Length: Approximately 8 feet
Range: Widespread in Belize, found in broadleaf forests, lowland savannah, and pine ridge areas.
Prey: Exhibits strong preferences for warm-blooded prey such as small mammals and birds, but also hunts lizards and frogs.
Type of Venom: Possesses powerful fast-acting hemotoxin, which affects blood cells and tissue.