Mangroves knot the shorelines and spread by dropping 6-inch pods that float until they strike ground in shallow water. Then they set out roots and begin the process all over. Over the ages, islands form. The mangrove forests are viewed as swamplands by resort developers, who have chopped away great swaths of the trees in parts of Belize to create golf courses and hotels for the rich and famous. But without the mangroves, there would be no islands, no manatees, fish or wildlife.
Locals say an occasional crocodile can still be spotted among the mangrove thickets.
It sounded dubious. As proof, they said dogs occasionally disappear in the night. Dogs don't swim for the mainland, so they must provide an occasional midnight snack for crocs. We ate fish every day, and after some snooping, found which restaurants cooked local food and which served tourist junk. For our money, the best food on Caye Caulker was served at Wish Willy.