Into the Wild

Long before hordes of tourists and biologists began flocking to Costa Rica for its amazing biodiversity, the country’s native people became the area’s first wildlife experts. Through close observation during frequent close-encounters with animals, Costa Rica’s indigenous people built up extensive mythologies surrounding the country’s wildlife. These beliefs are best preserved among Costa Rica’s Bribrí and Boruca people, who had animals featured prominently in their religion, healing ceremonies and even their dreams.

The jungle can be a scary place, and even for some of the fiercest of Costa Rica’s creatures, sometimes the best defense is just to hide. Fortunately, these six animals have figured out a way to hide out in plain site.

Long before a teary-eyed Kristen Bell professed her love for sloths on daytime television catapulting the slow-moving creature into Internet superstardom, the sloth may have been one of the most hated creatures on earth.