Mammals
Silky Anteater
Cyclopes didactylus · also called pygmy anteater
Curled into a motionless, silvery ball of fur high in the rainforest canopy, a silky anteater rests through the daylight hours, easily mistaken for a clump of foliage, the smallest of all anteater species and a creature that almost never touches the ground.
Overview
The silky anteater, Cyclopes didactylus, is a Least Concern mammal native to rainforest habitat across Central and South America. Its status as the smallest anteater species, soft silvery coat, and nearly exclusive life spent in the forest canopy make it one of the most distinctive and difficult-to-spot members of the anteater family.
Hiding in plain sight
The silky anteater’s resting posture, curled into a tight, motionless ball, is so convincing a disguise that it can be genuinely difficult to distinguish from an ordinary clump of leaves or moss high in the canopy, a passive defence that serves it well against predators.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread across suitable rainforest habitat throughout Central and South America.
Silky Anteater: common questions
How small is the silky anteater?
It is the smallest of all anteater species, dramatically tinier than its much larger relatives such as the giant anteater, small enough to fit comfortably in a person's hand.
Why does the silky anteater curl into a ball during the day?
It remains motionless, curled into a tight ball while resting during daylight hours, a behaviour that helps it closely resemble a clump of foliage and avoid detection by predators.
Does the silky anteater ever come down to the ground?
Rarely, if ever; it spends nearly its entire life in the forest canopy, relying on its prehensile tail to move and rest securely among the branches.
What does the silky anteater eat?
It is an insectivore, eating mainly ants and some other small invertebrates found in its rainforest canopy habitat.