25/01/2026
Thrilled to share this camera trap image within Chiquibul Forest Reserve, confirming the presence of the Naked-tailed armadillo, a rarely documented species in Belize.
Records like this are critical for strengthening biodiversity data in Belize CWC-Belize: Ix Jaguar Project ๐
โจExciting confirmation from the Chiquibul! โจ
Our camera traps have captured photographic evidence of the Naked-tailed armadillo (Cabassous centralis) in the Chiquibul, an exciting record for a species that is rarely detected and documented in Belize.
While the Naked-tailed armadillo is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, it remains data-poor at local and regional scales, with only a handful of published records from Belize, mostly from the Maya Mountains region, including areas near and within Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary () This new record confirms their presence in the Chiquibul as well.
These armadillos are named for their โnakedโ tail, which lacks the heavy armor seen in other armadillo species. Also known as eleven-banded armadillos, they are powerful diggers, using their strong claws to forage for insects such as ants and termites.
๐ง Have you ever seen one of these fascinating animals in the wild? Let us know in the comments!