Northern Silky Anteater

Northern Silky Anteater

Cyclopes dorsalis

Silhouette: PhyloPic · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~10% · With luck
at Soberanía National Park
10 Verified sightings at Soberanía National Park From 2019 to 2026
45 Verified sightings across all 14 parks From 2019 to 2026
November Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ 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 →

Closest Relatives at Soberanía National Park

Brown-throated Sloth
LC

Brown-throated Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bradypus variegatus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
LC

Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Choloepus hoffmanni

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely
Northern Tamandua
LC

Northern Tamandua

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tamandua mexicana

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

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

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Northern Silky Anteater in Soberanía National Park?

About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Silky Anteater sighting in Soberanía National Park, based on 10 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Northern Silky Anteater in Soberanía National Park?

November has the highest sighting rate for Northern Silky Anteater in Soberanía National Park in our monthly data.

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