Northern Silky Anteater

Northern Silky Anteater

Cyclopes dorsalis

Silhouette: PhyloPic · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
at Lago de Yojoa
1 Verified sightings at Lago de Yojoa From 2019 to 2026
45 Verified sightings across all 14 parks From 2019 to 2026
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Northern Silky Anteater

The silky anteater, also known as the pygmy anteater, has traditionally been considered a single species of anteater, Cyclopes didactylus, in the genus Cyclopes, the only living genus in the family Cyclopedidae. Found in southern Mexico, and Central and South America, it is the smallest of all known anteaters. It has nocturnal habits and appears to be completely arboreal; its hind feet are highly modified for climbing.

A taxonomic review in 2017, including both molecular and morphological evidence, found that Cyclopes may actually comprise at least seven species. The only known extinct cyclopedid species is Palaeomyrmidon incomtus, from the Late Miocene (c. 7 to 9 million years ago) of modern-day Argentina.

The scientific name Cyclopes didactylus translates to "two-toed circle-foot", referencing the two claws present on the forefeet. Additionally, the name alludes to the toes' ability to nearly encircle a branch while clinging.

Silky anteaters are the smallest extant anteaters and have proportionately shorter faces and larger crania than other species. Average adult length ranges from 36 to 45 cm (14 to 18 in), including a tail 17 to 24 cm (6.7 to 9... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Braulio Carrillo National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
2 Corcovado National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
3 Tortuguero National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
~10%
4 Soberanía National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
~10%
5 Lago de Yojoa 🇭🇳 Honduras
Insufficient data
6 Chagres National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
7 Manuel Antonio National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
8 Arenal Volcano National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
9 Bastimentos Island National Marine Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
10 Parque Natural Metropolitano 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
11 Darién National Park 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
12 Cahuita National Park 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
Insufficient data
13 Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve 🇲🇽 Mexico
Insufficient data
14 La Amistad International Park (Panama) 🇵🇦 Panama
Insufficient data
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