The Maya civilization originated about 2600 BC and was prominent in Mesoamerica in 250AD. The Maya were known for many things including their elaborate stone buildings which often contained carvings relating to their calendar system and hieroglyphic writing. See some of the ancient sites in Belize that can be visited today, from Caracol with its temples, to caves with ancient artifacts. Find out about the origination of an important aspect of Maya culture (hint: chocolate!), and how it came to be incorporated into our modern world. From iguanas and agouti, to birds like the keeled billed toucan and colorful parrots, learn about the wide variety of animals found in this part of Mesoamerica, and how the Maya incorporated many of them into their stories and intricate carvings. Ancient sites, and protected forests around them, still provide homes for many jungle species, such as howler monkeys, that can often be seen and heard while experiencing the wonders of the Maya.

Joy from The Joys of Nature has loved animals from the time she was a child growing up in New England and she would always take advantage of any outdoor time to explore nature. Now, she still loves to explore, but also to share her knowledge about wildlife, wildlife photography and nature in general. In addition to a BA in Biology, she has been doing a variety of animal-related education programs in her professional life for over 20 years. One of her favorite things to do is break people’s misconceptions about many animals that people fear, such as predators including sharks, reptiles and spiders.

Photo credit: The Joys of Nature