Recently, a video showing the Tikal Temple in Guatemala was posted online, featuring a group of small animals that look like dinosaurs. The video included a claim that these animals were real dinosaurs, which sparked many reactions and shares on social media. However, after verifying the images through a Google Reverse Image Search, we discovered that this claim is misleading.
Social Media Claim
A video clip showing a group of animals is being described as a group of dinosaurs. This video, accompanied by such a caption, has been widely shared on Facebook by social media users, who have expressed mixed reactions and comments, including questions about whether dinosaurs still exist today.
Below is the full video clip, which was posted on the social network on February 5, 2025, with the caption: “Definitely dinosaurs”.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2043455812838115
In addition to the above claims, a video clip showing a group of small animals, falsely claimed to be dinosaurs, was also posted on Instagram on February 6, 2025.
Instagram Post | Archived Link
Below is another similar video posted on TikTok with the caption: “Scientists report that a dinosaur was revived in 2025”.
Given the claim’s extensive dissemination and the considerable attention it has received from the internet community, we believed it was necessary to perform a fact-check on the above subject.
Fact Check
Fact Crescendo checked and verified these images using a Google Reverse Image Search, which led to the following findings.
Through this search, we discovered that video clips and images showing a group of small animals resembling dinosaurs were widely shared on the Internet, often accompanied by additional information about the species and names of the animals.
This species of animal, which has a similar appearance and form, is known as the Kawati or Coati. Users may mistake it for a dinosaur if they only view it from a distance or do not examine it closely.
Below is a video clip from TikTok showing a group of coatis near the Tikal Temple in Guatemala.
Another 50-second video clip was posted on Facebook, which also features coatis filmed at the Tikal Temple site in Guatemala. This video further confirms that the animals shown are not dinosaurs, but rather coatis, a species of small mammal.
The clip provides additional clarity and context, demonstrating that the animals are part of the local wildlife, not prehistoric creatures. Below is the video clip, captioned by the user as “Coatis in Tikal, Guatemala,” which offers a closer look at these fascinating animals in their natural habitat.
On Alamy, one of the world’s largest and most trusted photo and video sharing platforms, we found a photo of coatis that closely resemble the small animals some users have mistakenly identified as dinosaurs. These animals, while resembling prehistoric creatures from a distance, are coatis, a species of mammal commonly found in Central and South America.
Below is a screenshot from the Alamy website, with the caption in English: “Guatemala, Tikal National Park, coati (coatimundi); UNESCO World Heritage Site,” which accurately identifies the animal and its location.
According to Arthur Grosset, the coati is a species of raccoon native to Mexico, Central America, Panama, and northern Colombia. Coatis are known for their distinct long, pointed snouts and bushy tails, which help them forage for food in the wild. They primarily feed on fruits, seeds, and small insects, making them omnivorous and adaptable to various environments. These animals are commonly found in forests, such as those near the Tikal Temple in Guatemala, where they roam freely.
Below is a photo of coatis taken at the Tikal Temple in Guatemala in 2015, showcasing their natural behavior and habitat.
Arthur Grosset Link | Archived Link
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Conclusion
Fact Crescendo has found the claim and found it misleading. The small animals photographed near the Tikal Temple in Guatemala are coatis, a species of mammal, not dinosaurs. Coatis are commonly found in Central and South America and can be mistaken for dinosaurs due to their appearance, especially from a distance.
Title:Group of Coatis in Tikal, Guatemala Falsely Claimed as Dinosaurs
Written By: Kakada SimResult: Misleading
