Microsciurus alfari
Silhouette: Joseph Smit · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~30%
The Central American dwarf squirrel, also known as Alfaro's pygmy squirrel, (Microsciurus alfari) is a small tree squirrel in the genus Microsciurus and tribe Sciurini found in Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. No species of squirrel within this genus are listed as endangered, however they are rarely seen because they are extremely elusive. This suggests that their population numbers may be larger than documented.
Central American dwarf squirrels are not as small as their name suggests. In fact, their body measurements are close to that of the red squirrel and gray squirrel, with a head-and-body length about 15 cm (5.9 in) with a 12 cm (4.7 in) long tail. The majority of their body is a dark, olive-green and brown color with a reddish-brown head coloration. The underside of their heads and limbs can range from a yellowish grey to a tawny grey color.
Central American dwarf squirrels are native to Colombia, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panama. They typically inhabit tropical rainforests, with a preference for the heavy forest, particularly those with vines in the undergrowth, which can allow them to descend to the ground and quickly... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tenorio Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Corcovado National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 4 | Tapantí-Macizo de la Muerte National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 5 | Arenal Volcano National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 6 | La Amistad International Park (Panama) | 🇵🇦 Panama |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Central American Dwarf Squirrel sighting in Arenal Volcano National Park on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 18th most-seen of the 25 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
January, March–May and November
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Central American Dwarf Squirrel in Arenal Volcano National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February, June–October and December, the lowest months.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Central American Dwarf Squirrel sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 6 parks where we can rate Central American Dwarf Squirrel sightings, Arenal Volcano National Park ranks 5th at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Tenorio Volcano National Park (Costa Rica, about 10%), Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Costa Rica, about 10%) and Corcovado National Park (Costa Rica, about 10%).
Same family: Sciuridae
The closest relatives of the Central American Dwarf Squirrel that you can see in Arenal Volcano National Park (family Sciuridae, Squirrels) are Variegated Squirrel (about 40%) and Red-tailed Squirrel (about 10%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Central American Dwarf Squirrel is recorded against all the mammals logged in Arenal Volcano National Park (6 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
