Microsciurus alfari
Silhouette: Joseph Smit · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~60%
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 Tenorio Volcano National Park on a given day, based on 6 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 14th most-seen of the 17 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 60%, if each day is a fresh chance.
March
In that month about 30% of wildlife watchers report a Central American Dwarf Squirrel in Tenorio Volcano National Park on a given day, against under 5% in January–February, April–June and August–November, the lowest months. That is one of Tenorio Volcano National Park's driest months, with about 150 mm of rain against 420 mm in December.
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.
Yes
Of the 6 parks where we can rate Central American Dwarf Squirrel sightings, Tenorio Volcano National Park has the highest daily chance: about 10%. Next come 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 Tenorio Volcano National Park (family Sciuridae, Squirrels) are Variegated Squirrel (about 30%) and Deppe's Squirrel (about 20%), 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 Tenorio 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.
