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Tapir's - Belize's National Mammal

7/21/2019

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Belize's national animal (or mammal), is the Baird's tapir.  Locally known as the "mountain cow".  They are forest dwellers, active mostly at night as they forage along river banks and forest clearings.  They feed on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, buds, and fruits of the low-growing shrubs. They sometime run afoul of man when they cause damage to corn fields and other crops.

Despite its adaptability, the tapir is high on the list of the world's endangered species.  Only in Belize does this shy creature still feel really at home.  The tapir is the largest of all land animals indigenous to Central America.  An adult weighs up to 650 lbs., its bulky body upholstered in a skin measuring between one to three centimeters thick.  Still this behemoth is able to sneak quietly away on its tiptoes, or to run off boisterously on its short little legs - as fast as a man!

Speaking of feet, these are specially designed for walking through mud holes, splaying out for maximum foothold in the muck and bunching up for easy extraction.

The tapir has a long, flexible upper lip, which it uses for foraging and for shoveling food into its mouth.  Its teeth include heavy-duty molars for crunching leaves and twigs and for crushing seed casements which require as much as 500 lbs of pressure!  Another way it deals with seeds is to swallow them whole and then digest them so slowly that they germinate in the process.  Fruits and vegetables are also enjoyed; the belief held by some in Belize that these herbivores will attack cattle is totally unfounded.

Although it eyesight is deficient, the tapir's hearing and sense of smell are acute.

Tapirs do not tend to congregate and they usually forage - day and or night - alone.  A single offspring is born, ill-disguised as a fawn:  brown, with white stripes and spots, which it does not lose until it is about half a year old.  It will stay with its mother for another half year, by which time it will have accumulated a formidable bulk of its own.

They are usualy non-aggressive, avoiding confrontation by taking off in the other direction.  In captivity they can be friendly and affectionate, as is April, the Belize Zoo's beloved tapir; every year, April's birthday is celebrated at the zoo by the children of Belie who bring her gifts of carrots and bananas.

Tapirs are usually solitary except when mothers have young. they range over large territories and are excellent swimmers spending a fair amount of time in forest rivers. They are also agile climbers, crashing up steep hillsides and river banks with apparent ease. When surprised, tapirs generally head for water, but will sometimes stamp their feet loudly and sometimes whistle.

The Bairds Tapir ranges from Southern Mexico to Northern Columbia and are endangered throughout their range. The main threats to the tapir survival is hunting and deforestation.

Where Tapir's can be found in Central America
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FUN TAPIR FACTS FOR KIDS
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Hey Kids, Did You Know? - Fun Facts about Tapirs for Kids

  • Tapir bodies are pear-shaped. Their fronts are narrow, and their back parts are widened.
  • Tapirs weigh between 500 and 700 pounds.
  • Tapir babies have brown and beige stripes. These stripes help camouflage them from predators.
  • Tapir's look like pigs or anteaters, but they're related to horses & rhinos.
  • Tapir's are peaceful herbivores (which means, they eat vegetation).
  • Tapir's graze alone or in small groups eathing grass & tree leaves.
  • Tapir's have curved snouts to help them gather food in high places.
  • Tapir's are hunted by jaguars, crocodiles and tigers.
  • Tapir's are endangered.
  • Tapir's live from souther Mexico, all throughout Central America.
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    Trent S. Turley

       My name is Trenton S. Turley, and I am a Belizean citizen who has now been living in the country of Belize for the past 15 years.  I am also an environmental activist.  Our family moved to Belize, when I was 8 years old.  I speak English, Spanish, Kriol and American Sign Language.  I have a true love for the eco-system of Belize, with regards to preserving this beautiful countries resources.
       I am presently a licensed tour guide (trained to international standards), for the Government of Belize.
       This blog is about Belize and all the things I'm passionate about.  If you're in Belize, look me up. Hope you enjoy my posts.


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    Belize Budget Suites
    Is located on the island of Ambergris Caye, directly across from the Belize Barrier Reef, off the mainland coast of Belize.  The property is nestled in a cluster of Australian Pine trees, backed to a littoral jungle, and surrounded by tropical gardens.  It's about a one minute walk from the property to the beach, and a 10-15 minute drive from the island airstrip to the property. 

    We offer one bedroom suites (455 s.f.) of living area to include:  livingroom, kitchenette, private bathroom and bedroom.

    We are also about a one minute walk from one of the best restaurants on the island serving (breakfast, lunch & dinner).  Within walking distance you can find:
    (3) blocks is Robyn's BBQ
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    IF  YOU'RE COMING TO BELIZE TO...............
    If you're coming to Belize to dive the Blue Hole, descend the shelf walls at Turneffe, snorkel the Barrier Reef, explore Mayan ruins, rappel into a cave, kayak along the river through caves, zip line through jungle tree tops, hike through a cave to see an ancient human skeleton, swim with sharks, listen to Howler Monkey's, hold a boa constrictor, feed a jaguar, horseback ride through the jungle, canoe through a cave, rappel down a waterfall, sail around an island, enjoy cocktails & dinner to a sunset, climb 130' feet to the top of a Mayan ruin, rip up the jungle trails on an ATV, float through a series of caves on a tube, and sip on a rum punch.....
    then this is the place for you. 
    Belize Budget Suites, offers you clean, affordable, attractive, accommodations, at prices that allow you to do all the things just mentioned. 

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ACES - Crocodile Encounter
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  • HOME
  • BOOK NOW
  • ABOUT BELIZE
    • COVID-19 Update >
      • Covid Update - FAQ
    • Where is Belize?
    • Traveling to Belize >
      • International Flights & Airlines
      • Belize Visas & Immigration
      • Arriving in Belize
      • Belize Land Borders
      • Getting to the Island
      • Departing Belize
      • What to Bring
      • How To Save Money
    • Best Time to Visit
    • Know Before You Go
    • Is Belize Safe?
    • Belize by the Month
    • Belize Festivals >
      • Food Festivals
      • Chocolate Festival
      • Lobster Festival
      • Mango Festival
      • Taco Festival
    • Belize Maps
    • Belize History
    • Ambergris Caye
    • San Pedro
  • ABOUT US
    • Reviews & Testimonials
    • The Property
    • The Neighborhood
    • Blog - Trent Turley
    • Blog - 2 Boys in Belize
    • FAQ
  • ACCOMMODATIONS
    • Room Rates
    • Reservation Info.
    • Seasonal Specials
  • ADVENTURES
    • Where to Eat
    • Things to Do
    • Diving >
      • Diving in Belize
      • Diving Vacations
      • Diving Blue Hole
      • Diving Turneffe Atoll
      • Diving Barrier Reef
      • Diving Basil Jones
      • Night Diving
    • Snorkeling >
      • Snorkel in Belize
      • Snorkeling Vacations
      • Hol Chan Marine
      • Shark Ray Alley
      • Mexico Rocks & Tres Cocos
      • Coral Gardens
      • Blue Hole Snorkeling
      • Bachalar Chico Marine
    • Fishing >
      • Fishing in Belize
      • Fishing Vacations
      • Deep Sea Fishing
      • Reef Fishing
      • Flat Fishing
      • Night Fishing
      • Robles Fishing, Snorkel & Beach BBQ
      • Fishing Charters
    • Sailing >
      • Sailing in Belize
      • Sailing Vacations
      • Day Sail to Caye Caulker
      • Manatee Watch Snorkel Goff Caye
      • Sail Around the Island
      • Sunset Sail
      • Sunset Houseboat
      • Sunset Dinner Cruise
      • Sunset Houseboat-Tapas
      • Island Hopping
      • Private Catamaran Charters
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      • Birds of Belize
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      • ATM Cave
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      • Cave Tubing
      • Cave Canoeing
      • Cave Waterfall Rappellilng
      • Cave Kayaking
      • Lost World Expedition
      • River Cave Expedition
      • 7 Miles of Caves
    • Mayan Temples >
      • Temples in Belize
      • Mayan Vacations
      • Altun Ha Ruins
      • Cahal Pech Ruins
      • Caracol Ruins
      • Cerros Maya Ruins
      • Lamanai Mayan Ruins
      • Lubaantun Site
      • Nim Li Punit Ruins
      • Santa Rita Mayan Ruins
      • Tikal (Guatamala)
      • Xunantunich
  • GALLERY
    • Jungle Zip Lining
    • ATM Cave
    • Lamanai Mayan Ruins
    • Belize Zoo
    • Hol Chan-Shark Ray
    • Cave Tubing
    • Xunantunich
  • CONTACT US