Turtles Of Belize: Species Diversity

Belize is home to several species of turtles, including four marine turtles and nine freshwater turtles. The marine turtles are migratory and spend most of their lives in the ocean, but they do come onto land to lay their eggs. The four marine turtles found in Belize are the hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, and green sea turtle. The nine freshwater turtles include the narrow-bridged musk turtle, the scorpion mud turtle, the Central American snapping turtle, and the furrowed wood turtle.

Where to find turtles in Belize

Belize is home to several species of turtles, including four sea turtles and nine freshwater turtles. The country's famous coral reef and the Belize Barrier Reef are the places to find these turtles, with the reef providing ideal feeding and nesting grounds.

The Belize Barrier Reef is the place to go to see turtles in Belize. This reef includes several cayes and three atolls, and it is where turtles reside and nest. The reef provides an abundance of food and safe nesting grounds for turtles.

The four sea turtles that can be found in and around the Belize Barrier Reef are:

• Hawksbill
• Loggerhead
• Leatherback
• Green sea turtle

Hawksbill and loggerhead turtles nest in the Belize barrier reef system, while leatherback turtles are rarely encountered in Belize. It is unknown whether they nest on the shores of Belize.

Some common places to find turtles in the Belize Barrier Reef Reserve System include:

• Glover's Reef Marine Reserve
• Ambergris Caye
• Half Moon Caye
• Hol Chan Marine Reserve
• Lighthouse Reef Atoll (which includes Northern Two Caye)
• Turneffe Atoll
• Placencia Peninsula
• Laughing Bird Caye
• Amazing Sea Life

The Glover's Reef, Turneffe Atoll, and Lighthouse Reef Atoll are three atolls located in Belize that are protected areas and host to sea turtles. Ambergris Caye is the largest Belizean island, located in the northeast of Belize.

When to see turtles in Belize

The best time to observe marine turtles in Belize is during their nesting season. The nesting season for hawksbills is March to May, while green turtles are reported to arrive in concentration in November and depart in March. Loggerheads mate in Lighthouse Reef, Glover's Reef, and along the outer reef from March to May, nesting on Ambergris Caye nocturnally around this time.

Conservation efforts

It is important to note that sea turtles are endangered and face many threats, both natural and human-induced. In Belize, the collection of eggs and the harvesting of nesting females and juveniles are significant issues. Other threats include predation of eggs by animals, habitat degradation, waste disposal, incidental capture in fishing gear, nesting beach development, and pollution.

Conservation programs have been developed to protect sea turtles, such as the one overseen by the reserve staff of Bacalar Chico National Park and Marine Reserve in the north of Ambergris Caye. Biologist Greg Smith also contributes to research and record-keeping of the species population in this area.

Why turtles are drawn to Belize

Belize is home to several turtle species, including four sea turtles and nine freshwater turtles. The country's famous barrier reef and rich marine life often overshadow the presence of these endangered creatures. The sea turtles, including the green, hawksbill, and loggerhead varieties, are drawn to Belize for specific reasons. Here are a few paragraphs explaining why turtles are attracted to Belize:

Ideal Feeding and Nesting Grounds:

Sea turtles are enticed by the abundant food sources and safe nesting grounds that Belize offers. They spend their lives in the ocean but must return to sandy beaches to lay their eggs, as they are air-breathing reptiles. The females, adapted to land, endure an arduous process of digging nests and laying up to a hundred eggs, which then incubate for 30-60 days.

Barrier Reef and Cayes:

Belize's barrier reef, comprising cayes and three atolls, provides an ideal habitat for sea turtles. The reef, along with its surrounding areas, offers protection and an abundance of food sources. The Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, Ambergris Caye, and Half Moon Caye are known for hosting nesting sea turtles.

Marine Life Diversity:

Belize's marine environment is incredibly diverse, with a variety of species coexisting within it. The country's rich coral reef and marine life contribute to the allure for sea turtles. The reef provides an abundant food source and a sense of protection for these creatures.

Conservation Efforts:

Belize has implemented conservation measures to protect its turtle populations. The Ambergris Caye Master Plan, for instance, safeguards the nesting grounds between Robles Point and Rocky Point on Northern Ambergris Caye. Additionally, the country has legislation in place to control the harvesting of turtles and protect their eggs during the nesting season.

Natural Migration Patterns:

Some evidence suggests that the sea turtles found in Belize migrate from other regions. For example, some loggerheads are known to migrate from Florida and the Bahamas, while green turtles may come from Costa Rica and Mexico. These natural migration patterns contribute to the presence of turtles in Belizean waters.

The main threats to turtles in Belize

Human Threats

Human activity poses a grave threat to turtles in Belize. The construction of sea walls, piers, tourist developments, and residences, coupled with dredging, anchoring, and waste disposal, has caused major destruction to turtle habitats. Specifically, the development of piers and sea walls, as well as the dredging required for construction, has destroyed the nesting habitats of turtles.

The collection of turtle eggs by humans is a significant threat to turtle populations in Belize. Local fishermen continue to collect eggs despite legal protection during the nesting season. Animals such as raccoons, foxes, and polecats also prey on the eggs, with raccoons capable of destroying an entire clutch in a single night.

Incidental capture and drowning of turtles in fishing gear, such as gill nets, shrimp trawls, and long lines, is another human-caused threat. While shrimp trawlers exporting to the USA are now required to have a Turtle Excluding Device, these are often incorrectly installed.

Overfishing has also led to a reduction in turtle numbers in Belize.

Natural Threats

Even before hatching, turtle eggs face natural threats from predators such as wild dogs, raccoons, skunks, and birds. Once hatched, turtles must contend with predators in and out of the sea.

At the adult stage, some turtles are afflicted by a potentially fatal tumour disease known as marine turtle fibropapilloma, the cause of which remains unknown.

Conservation efforts in Belize

Belize is home to 13 turtle species, including four marine turtles and nine freshwater turtles. The marine turtles are migratory and include the hawksbill, loggerhead, leatherback, and green sea turtle. The freshwater turtles include the narrow-bridged musk turtle, the scorpion mud turtle, the Central American snapping turtle, and the furrowed wood turtle, among others.

The country's efforts to protect these turtles include:

• The Ambergris Caye Master Plan, which affords some protection to turtles nesting on the North Ambergris Caye beach.
• Research and record-keeping of species population by biologist Greg Smith, a member of Green Reef.
• The establishment of the Hol Chan Marine Reserve, which has allowed a depleted fishing area to regenerate and now provides a refuge for ocean life, including turtles.
• The Glover's Reef Marine Reserve, which has been identified as home to more than 1,000 juvenile hawksbill sea turtles.
• The inclusion of green turtles, hawksbills, and loggerheads in the country's Fisheries Regulations, which prohibit the hunting of turtles and the collection of eggs, juveniles, and nesting females.
• The implementation of speed limit signs to help reduce collisions between boats and the endangered Antillean manatee.
• The work of Dr. Day Ligon, who is studying the critically endangered Central American River Turtle, known locally as the Hicatee, to assess the feasibility of estimating population sizes and inform conservation efforts.

The different types of turtles in Belize

Belize is home to several species of turtles, including both sea turtles and freshwater turtles. Sea turtles are particularly associated with the country's famous coral reef.

Sea Turtles

Three species of sea turtles—green turtles, hawksbills, and loggerheads—are commonly found in the waters between the Belize coast and the barrier reef. A fourth species, the leatherback sea turtle, is rarely seen in Belize, but individuals have been spotted in the Victoria Channel and the open ocean.

The green turtle is the second-largest sea turtle and can weigh up to 500 pounds. It is named after the colour of its fat, which is likely due to its seagrass-heavy diet. Green turtles are distinguished by their four pairs of lateral scutes and single pair of pre-frontal scales. Their shells can be mottled like a tortoise shell, but can be differentiated from hawksbills by the white lines separating the scutes.

Hawksbills are the most abundant sea turtle in Belize. They are distinguished by their four pairs of overlapping lateral scutes and hawk-like beak. Their shells have the characteristic mottled tortoise shell appearance. They typically weigh up to 200 pounds, but can reach 176 lbs as adults. They are often found in coral reefs, where they feed on sponges.

Loggerheads can weigh up to 450 pounds and have shells up to 3.5 feet in length. They are easily identified by their large heads and five pairs of lateral scutes. Juvenile loggerheads are not commonly found in Belize, so sightings are particularly important.

Leatherback sea turtles are the only sea turtles with soft shells. They are the largest of all sea turtles and can weigh up to a ton, with shells up to eight feet in length.

Freshwater Turtles

There are nine species of freshwater turtles endemic to Belize, including the narrow-bridged musk turtle, the scorpion mud turtle (or red-cheeked mud turtle), the white-lipped mud turtle, and the Central American snapping turtle.

The hicatee, a species of freshwater turtle native to Belize, is considered critically endangered. It is the largest freshwater turtle in Belize and can reach lengths of 25 inches and weights of over 25 pounds. It is considered an integral ingredient in traditional Belizean dishes.

Threats and Conservation

Sea turtles are endangered and face many threats, both natural and human-caused. Natural threats include predators such as wild dogs, raccoons, skunks, and birds, which feed on eggs and hatchlings. A fatal tumour disease of unknown cause also affects sea turtles.

Human activities pose a more significant threat to sea turtles. Entanglement in fishing gear, pollution, and irresponsible coastal development that destroys nesting sites all endanger sea turtle populations. Sea turtles are also harvested for their meat, eggs, and shells.

Sea turtles have been a protected species in Belize since 1993, and conservation efforts are in place to protect them. Most of the Belize barrier reef is protected, and there are also protected nesting grounds on Northern Ambergris Caye and in the Glover's Reef Marine Reserve.

Frequently asked questions