The Belize Butterfly House
Located in the Cayo district, between limestone hills
covered with lush vegetation you will find "Green
Hills", the Belize Butterfly Ranch and Botanical
Collections. Flocks of
butterflies, from brilliant blue to gorgeous orange,
dazzling yellow to intriguing gray, fly freely in a
2,700 sq. ft., beautifully landscaped flight
area: The largest live butterfly display in Belize.
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The Rearing
Facilities
Dozens of
native butterfly species are being reared at Green
Hills (see list).
Visitors facilities
Green Hills has a small gift shop and Guests are welcome
to use our covered picnic
spot furnished with tables and seats.
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The Research Facilities
Green Hills is research orientated. The main flight
area makes it possible to study interactions between
different butterfly species. A checklist to the butterflies
of Belize was produced here and a fieldguide to the
butterflies of Belize is in preparation. In addition,
there is ongoing research in other known in Belize for
their environmental and ecological studies. Much attention
is also devoted to conservation activities. |
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One species new to science that was discovered at Green Hills
is Citharacanthus
meermani Reichling
& West, 2000. Is a medium sized tarantula spider (completely
harmless). So far, this species is known only from three localities
in the Cayo District in Belize.
The Botanical Collection
Green Hills maintains living collections of several groups
of plants, most of these are important to our butterflies.
Either as nectar plant or caterpillar foodplant. Special
collections include Passionflowers,
Bromeliads, Cycads,
Heliconia's,
Aristolochia's
and orchids.
Visiting
Hours
The butterfly house is open daily from 7AM - 4 PM. Last
tour of the day starts at 3.30 PM. Entrance fee for a guided
tour is BZ$ 12.50 (US$ 6.25) per person (minimum of 2 people).
Special group and retail rates are available on request.
Groups over 15 people, please make reservations: (501) 820-4017.
You can contact us at meerman(at)biological-diversity.info
Starting
July 1, 2008:
Happy
hour in the Butterfly House.
Witness the Owl Butterfly Cascade. This spectacle is only
on appointment preferably with an advance notice of 24 hours.
Happy Hour starts anytime between 1700-1800 hrs (depending
the seasons. Essentially from 1 hour before sunset to sunset).
More information to follow.
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reared | Pictures
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