Giant Iguana–on a Mission to Find a Mate–Found in Belize!

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Before news of the dramatic find unearthed by a tourist staying at Chabil Mar leaks out, it is incumbent upon us to deliver a warning to anyone intending to investigate this story on their own. Don’t approach Chabil Mar on April 1st—even if someone dares you to do so—because you could put yourself into a serious and dangerous situation, especially if you’re female. 

It’s hard to miss this rather ugly, scaly creature since he’s about the same size as a contemporary crocodile and while he doesn’t speak English, he has made it clear that he is on a mission to bring his species back from extinction. In order to figure out exactly why he crawled up on the Chabil Mar beach, we hired a linguist specializing in Iquanise to find out how he intends to do that. 

The answer was unsettling: He has returned with reproduction on his mind and wants to show the scientific world that it’s possible to bring a species back that has disappeared off the face of the earth. This accomplishment would, if possible, make Belize the world’s capitol of species regeneration! 

The translator was astonished to discover that this giant reptile’s only goal is to find a mate quickly. Because this iguana’s mission is so specific, we’re asking all Chabil Mar guests to remain indoors on what he has declared to be his specific day to mate: April 1st. Once midnight passes, it will be safe to go out and all women are invited to come to the beach bar for free champagne and hors d’oeuvres. 

“We’re doing this for the safety of our guests,” said Marketing Manager Larry France. He plans to be on hand at midnight to pass platters of snacks and pour champagne. “We intend to celebrate having come through this nightmare and we will toast the fact that there will be no iguana babies come New Year’s Day when they would ordinarily be expected to hatch out.” 

“We’re also doing this as a prank!” adds France, who takes all of the credit for coming up with this far-out April Fool’s Day joke, so feel free to roam wherever you like at Chabil Mar on April 1st. Unless, of course, you run into an oversized iguana, at which point, Larry wants to hear from you!

Ancient extinct sloth tooth in Belize tells story of creature’s last year

It’s amazing how much a single bone can tell us about how long extinct creatures once lived. The tooth of an extinct sloth was recently found in Belize, and it tells a story not just of the creature but of its entire species and of the very different geography that once dominated this Central American nation.

While the Belize of today is known for its sumptuous jungles, complex networks of underground caves, and beautiful beaches, the region was incredibly arid 27,000 years in the past. The Last Glacial Maximum sealed much of the global moisture in glaciers and polar ice caps, and finding the next drink of water was as much a dire demand for creatures as hunting down the next meal.

That was especially true of the giant sloth. Towering at over four meters in height, the sloth required an understandably larger amount of hydration than some of its brethren. But it wasn’t dehydration that put the nail in the coffin of the sloth found in Belize. Divers discovered the tooth in what was just one of many underwater caverns, but at the time of its life, think sinkhole was likely a rare oasis in the sprawling desert of what would later become a tropical getaway.

While the tooth itself had begun the fossilization process, researchers were able to make investigate the tissue contained within for oxygen isotopes and stable carbon. It’s an advanced technique but one that allowed researchers a wealth of insight into the greater ecosystem that once defined the area. One of the big takeaways is that megafauna like the sloth weren’t done in by a single factor but instead by a whole convergence of environmental events. While the environmental scarcity of the time undoubtedly had an effect on their eventual extinction, the arrival of humans undoubtedly hastened their decline.

What’s especially exciting about this analysis is how it can be employed in the future. Bones that haven’t been fully fossilized yet can tell a lot about the diet of its owner, and that can spiral out to a greater understanding of the wider world surrounding them. Regardless, the Belize of today is very different from the Belize the sloth lived in.

If you’re interested in making a visit to this ancient and beautiful land, check out Chabil Mar Villas. Located in the region of Placencia in Southern Belize, it can be a great launching point if you’re looking to learn more about the history, geography, and present culture of the country.

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