This is a list of the mammal species recorded in Belize. These are the mammal species in Belize, of which 0 are critically endangered, 2 are endangered, 3 are vulnerable, and 3 are near-threatened. One species has been classified as extinct.
The following tags are used to highlight each species' conservation status as assessed by the IUCN:
Some species were assessed using an earlier set of criteria. Species assessed using this system have the following instead of Near Threatened and Least Concern categories:
Sirenia is an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit rivers, estuaries, coastal marine waters, swamps, and marine wetlands. All four species are endangered.
Family: Trichechidae
Genus: Trichechus
West Indian manatee Trichechus manatus VU
The armadillos are small mammals with a bony armored shell. They are native to the Americas. There are around 20 extant species.
Family: Dasypodidae (armadillos)
Subfamily: Dasypodinae
Genus: Dasypus
Nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus LC
Subfamily: Tolypeutinae
Genus: Cabassous
Northern naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous centralis DD
The order Pilosa is extant only in the Americas and includes the anteaters, sloths, and tamanduas.
Suborder: Vermilingua
Family: Cyclopedidae
Genus: Cyclopes
Silky anteater Cyclopes didactylus LC
Family: Myrmecophagidae (American anteaters)
Genus: Myrmecophaga
Giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla EX
Genus: Tamandua
Northern tamandua Tamandua mexicana LC
The order Primates contains humans and their closest relatives: lemurs, lorisoids, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes.
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Parvorder: Platyrrhini
Family: Atelidae
Subfamily: Alouattinae
Genus: Alouatta
Guatemalan black howler Alouatta pigra EN
Subfamily: Atelinae
Genus: Ateles
Geoffroy's spider monkey Ateles geoffroyi LC
Rodents make up the largest order of mammals, with over 40 percent of mammalian species. They have two incisors in the upper and lower jaw which grow continually and must be kept short by gnawing. Most rodents are small though the capybara can weigh up to 45 kg (100 lb).
Suborder: Hystricomorpha
Family: Erethizontidae (New World porcupines)
Subfamily: Erethizontinae
Genus: Coendou
Mexican hairy dwarf porcupine Coendou mexicanus LR/lc
Family: Dasyproctidae (agoutis and pacas)
Genus: Dasyprocta
Central American agouti Dasyprocta punctata LR/lc
Family: Cuniculidae
Genus: Cuniculus
Lowland paca Cuniculus paca LC
Suborder: Sciurognathi
Family: Sciuridae (squirrels)
Subfamily: Sciurinae
Tribe: Sciurini
Genus: Sciurus
Deppe's squirrel Sciurus deppei LR/lc
Yucatan squirrel Sciurus yucatanensis LR/lc
Family: Geomyidae
Genus: Orthogeomys
Hispid pocket gopher Orthogeomys hispidus LR/lc
Family: Cricetidae
Subfamily: Tylomyinae
Genus: Nyctomys
Sumichrast's vesper rat Nyctomys sumichrasti LR/lc
Genus: Otonyctomys
Hatt's vesper rat Otonyctomys hatti LR/lc
Genus: Ototylomys
Big-eared climbing rat Ototylomys phyllotis LR/lc
Genus: Tylomys
Peters's climbing rat Tylomys nudicaudus LR/lc
Subfamily: Neotominae
Genus: Peromyscus
Mexican deer mouse Peromyscus mexicanus LR/lc
Genus: Reithrodontomys
Slender harvest mouse Reithrodontomys gracilis LR/lc
Subfamily: Sigmodontinae
Genus: Oligoryzomys
Fulvous pygmy rice rat Oligoryzomys fulvescens LR/lc
Genus: Oryzomys
Alfaro's rice rat Oryzomys alfaroi LR/lc
Coues' rice rat Oryzomys couesi LR/lc
Long-nosed rice rat Oryzomys rostratus LR/lc
Cloud forest rice rat Oryzomys saturatior LR/lc
Genus: Rhipidomys
Splendid climbing mouse Rhipidomys nitela LR/lc
Genus: Sigmodon
Toltec cotton rat Sigmodon toltecus LC
The lagomorphs comprise two families, Leporidae (hares and rabbits), and Ochotonidae (pikas). Though they can resemble rodents, and were classified as a superfamily in that order until the early 20th century, they have since been considered a separate order. They differ from rodents in a number of physical characteristics, such as having four incisors in the upper jaw rather than two.
Family: Leporidae (rabbits, hares)
Genus: Sylvilagus
Tapeti Sylvilagus brasiliensis LR/lc
Eastern cottontail Sylvilagus floridanus LR/lc
Eulipotyphlans are insectivorous mammals. Shrews and solenodons closely resemble mice, hedgehogs carry spines, while moles are stout-bodied burrowers.
Family: Soricidae (shrews)
Subfamily: Soricinae
Tribe: Blarinini
Genus: Cryptotis
North American least shrew Cryptotis parva LR/lc
The bats' most distinguishing feature is that their forelimbs are developed as wings, making them the only mammals in the world naturally capable of flight. Bat species within Belize account for about 58% of the mammals.
Family: Noctilionidae
Genus: Noctilio
Greater bulldog bat Noctilio leporinus LR/lc
Family: Vespertilionidae
Subfamily: Myotinae
Genus: Myotis
Elegant myotis Myotis elegans LR/nt
Hairy-legged myotis Myotis keaysi LR/lc
Subfamily: Vespertilioninae
Genus: Bauerus
Van Gelder's bat Bauerus dubiaquercus VU
Genus: Eptesicus
Argentine brown bat Eptesicus furinalis LR/lc
Genus: Lasiurus
Red bat Lasiurus blossevillii LR/lc
Southern yellow bat Lasiurus ega LR/lc
Northern yellow bat Lasiurus intermedius LR/lc
Family: Molossidae
Genus: Eumops
Wagner's bonneted bat Eumops glaucinus LR/lc
Underwood's bonneted bat Eumops underwoodi LR/nt
Genus: Molossus
Velvety free-tailed bat Molossus molossus LR/lc
Alvarez's mastiff bat Molossus alvarezi LR/lc
Genus: Nyctinomops
Broad-eared bat Nyctinomops laticaudatus LR/lc
Family: Emballonuridae
Genus: Balantiopteryx
Thomas's sac-winged bat Balantiopteryx io LR/nt
Genus: Peropteryx
Lesser doglike bat Peropteryx macrotis LR/lc
Greater dog-like bat Peropteryx kappleri LR/lc
Genus: Rhynchonycteris
Proboscis bat Rhynchonycteris naso LR/lc
Genus: Saccopteryx
Greater sac-winged bat Saccopteryx bilineata LR/lc
Lesser sac-winged bat Saccopteryx leptura LR/lc
Family: Mormoopidae
Genus: Mormoops
Ghost-faced bat Mormoops megalophylla LR/lc
Genus: Pteronotus
Naked-backed bat Pteronotus davyi LR/lc
Big naked-backed bat Pteronotus gymnonotus LR/lc
Parnell's mustached bat Pteronotus parnellii LR/lc
Wagner's mustached bat Pteronotus personatus LR/lc
Family: Phyllostomidae
Subfamily: Phyllostominae
Genus: Lampronycteris
Yellow-throated big-eared bat Lampronycteris brachyotis LR/lc
Genus: Lonchorhina
Tomes's sword-nosed bat Lonchorhina aurita LR/lc
Genus: Lophostoma
Pygmy round-eared bat Lophostoma brasiliense LR/lc
Davis's round-eared bat Lophostoma evotis LR/nt
Genus: Macrophyllum
Long-legged bat Macrophyllum macrophyllum LR/lc
Genus: Micronycteris
Schmidts's big-eared bat Micronycteris schmidtorum LR/lc
Genus: Mimon
Striped hairy-nosed bat Mimon crenulatum LR/lc
Genus: Phylloderma
Pale-faced bat Phylloderma stenops LR/lc
Genus: Phyllostomus
Pale spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus discolor LR/lc
Greater spear-nosed bat Phyllostomus hastatus LR/lc
Genus: Tonatia
Stripe-headed round-eared bat Tonatia saurophila LR/lc
Genus: Trachops
Fringe-lipped bat Trachops cirrhosus LR/lc
Genus: Trinycteris
Niceforo's big-eared bat Trinycteris nicefori LR/lc
Genus: Vampyrum
Spectral bat Vampyrum spectrum LR/nt
Subfamily: Glossophaginae
Genus: Glossophaga
Commissaris's long-tongued bat Glossophaga commissarisi LR/lc
Pallas's long-tongued bat Glossophaga soricina LR/lc
Genus: Hylonycteris
Underwood's long-tongued bat Hylonycteris underwoodi LR/nt
Genus: Lichonycteris
Dark long-tongued bat Lichonycteris obscura LR/lc
Subfamily: Carolliinae
Genus: Carollia
Seba's short-tailed bat Carollia perspicillata LR/lc
Sowell's short-tailed bat Carollia sowelli LR/lc
Subfamily: Stenodermatinae
Genus: Artibeus
Artibeus intermedius LR/lc
Jamaican fruit bat Artibeus jamaicensis LR/lc
Great fruit-eating bat Artibeus lituratus LR/lc
Pygmy fruit-eating bat Artibeus phaeotis LR/lc
Toltec fruit-eating bat Artibeus toltecus LR/lc
Genus: Centurio
Wrinkle-faced bat Centurio senex LR/lc
Genus: Chiroderma
Hairy big-eyed bat Chiroderma villosum LR/lc
Genus: Sturnira
Little yellow-shouldered bat Sturnira lilium LR/lc
Genus: Uroderma
Tent-making bat Uroderma bilobatum LR/lc
Genus: Vampyressa
Southern little yellow-eared bat Vampyressa pusilla LR/lc
Genus: Vampyrodes
Great stripe-faced bat Vampyrodes caraccioli LR/lc
Genus: Platyrrhinus
Heller's broad-nosed bat Platyrrhinus helleri LR/lc
Subfamily: Desmodontinae
Genus: Desmodus
Common vampire bat Desmodus rotundus LR/lc
Genus: Diaemus
Hairy-legged vampire bat Diphylla ecaudata LR/nt
Family: Thyropteridae
Genus: Thyroptera
Spix's disk-winged bat Thyroptera tricolor LR/lc
The order Cetacea includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. They are the mammals most fully adapted to aquatic life with a spindle-shaped nearly hairless body, protected by a thick layer of blubber, and forelimbs and tail modified to provide propulsion underwater.
Suborder: Mysticeti
Family: Balaenopteridae (baleen whales)
Genus: Balaenoptera
Common minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata
Sei whale Balaenoptera borealis
Bryde's whale Balaenoptera brydei
Blue whale Balaenoptera musculus
Genus: Megaptera
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae
Suborder: Odontoceti
Superfamily: Platanistoidea
Family: Delphinidae (marine dolphins)
Genus: Delphinus
Short-beaked common dolphin Delphinus delphis DD
Genus: Feresa
Pygmy killer whale Feresa attenuata DD
Genus: Globicephala
Short-finned pilot whale Globicephala macrorhyncus DD
Genus: Lagenodelphis
Fraser's dolphin Lagenodelphis hosei DD
Genus: Grampus
Risso's dolphin Grampus griseus DD
Genus: Orcinus
Killer whale Orcinus orca DD
Genus: Peponocephala
Melon-headed whale Peponocephala electra DD
Genus: Pseudorca
False killer whale Pseudorca crassidens DD
Genus: Stenella
Pantropical spotted dolphin Stenella attenuata DD
Clymene dolphin Stenella clymene DD
Striped dolphin Stenella coeruleoalba DD
Atlantic spotted dolphin Stenella frontalis DD
Spinner dolphin Stenella longirostris DD
Genus: Steno
Rough-toothed dolphin Steno bredanensis DD
Genus: Tursiops
Common bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus
Family: Physeteridae (sperm whales)
Genus: Physeter
Sperm whale Physeter catodon (DD)
Family: Kogiidae (dwarf sperm whales)
Genus: Kogia
Pygmy sperm whale Kogia breviceps (DD)
Dwarf sperm whale Kogia sima (DD)
Superfamily Ziphioidea
Family: Ziphidae (beaked whales)
Genus: Mesoplodon
Gervais' beaked whale Mesoplodon europaeus (DD))
Genus: Ziphius
Cuvier's beaked whale Ziphius cavirostris (DD)
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
There are over 260 species of carnivorans, the majority of which feed primarily on meat. They have a characteristic skull shape and dentition.
Suborder: Feliformia
Family: Felidae (cats)
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Leopardus
Ocelot Leopardus pardalis LC
Margay Leopardus wiedii LC
Genus: Puma
Cougar Puma concolor NT
Jaguarundi Puma yagouaroundi LC
Subfamily: Pantherinae
Genus: Panthera
Jaguar Panthera onca NT
Suborder: Caniformia
Family: Canidae (dogs, foxes)
Genus: Urocyon
Gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus LC
Genus: Canis
Coyote Canis latrans LC
Family: Procyonidae (raccoons)
Genus: Bassariscus
Cacomistle Bassariscus sumichrasti LR/nt
Genus: Procyon
Common raccoon Procyon lotor LR/lc
Genus: Nasua
White-nosed coati Nasua narica LR/lc
Genus: Potos
Kinkajou Potos flavus LR/lc
Family: Mustelidae (mustelids)
Genus: Mustela
Long-tailed weasel Mustela frenata LR/lc
Genus: Eira
Tayra Eira barbara LR/lc
Genus: Galictis
Greater grison Galictis vittata LR/lc
Genus: Lontra
Neotropical river otter Lontra longicaudis DD
Family: Mephitidae
Genus: Spilogale
Eastern spotted skunk Spilogale putorius LR/lc
Southern spotted skunk Spilogale angustifrons
Genus: Conepatus
Striped hog-nosed skunk Conepatus semistriatus LR/lc
Suborder: Pinnipedia
Family: Phocidae (earless seals)
Genus: Monachus
Caribbean monk seal Monachus tropicalis EX
The odd-toed ungulates are browsing and grazing mammals. They are usually large to very large, and have relatively simple stomachs and a large middle toe.
Family: Tapiridae (tapirs)
Genus: Tapirus
Baird's tapir Tapirus bairdii EN
The even-toed ungulates are ungulates whose weight is borne about equally by the third and fourth toes, rather than mostly or entirely by the third as in perissodactyls. There are about 220 artiodactyl species, including many that are of great economic importance to humans.
Family: Tayassuidae (peccaries)
Genus: Pecari
Collared peccary Pecari tajacu LC
Genus: Tayassu
White-lipped peccary Tayassu pecari NT
Family: Cervidae (deer)
Subfamily: Capreolinae
Genus: Mazama
Red brocket Mazama americana DD
Genus: Odocoileus
White-tailed deer Odocoileus virginianus LR/lc
Didelphimorphia is the order of common opossums of the Western Hemisphere. Opossums probably diverged from the basic South American marsupials in the late Cretaceous or early Paleocene.They are small to medium-sized marsupials, about the size of a large house cat, with a long snout and prehensile tail.
Family: Didelphidae (American opossums)
Subfamily: Caluromyinae
Genus: Caluromys
Derby's woolly opossum Caluromys derbianus VU
Subfamily: Didelphinae
Genus: Chironectes
Water opossum Chironectes minimus LR/nt
Genus: Didelphis
Common opossum Didelphis marsupialis LR/lc
Virginia opossum Didelphis virginiana LR/lc
Genus: Marmosa
Alston's mouse opossum Marmosa alstoni LR/nt
Mexican mouse opossum Marmosa mexicana LR/lc
Robinson's mouse opossum Marmosa robinsoni LR/lc
Genus: Philander
Gray four-eyed opossum Philander opossum LR/lc
