The Silky Anteater

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This anteater looks like the imperfect combo of a niffler and baby yoda

The Silky Anteater : Cyclopes didactylus

Characteristics: The smallest species of anteater is nocturnal and has golden brown fuzzy fur, two claws on the front feet, and a long tail for balance in trees. Streaks of darker fur are also visible on body. 

Habitat: From Mexico to Central America to South America; an arboreal creature that inhabits tropical and mangrove forests

Diet: Silky Anteaters are insectivores, and they mainly eat ants! Occasionally, coccinellid beetles and termites are part of their diet as well. 

Conservation: Least Concern; however, some newly discovered species (seven in total) are considered to be at risk, and almost all species are negatively impacted by habitat destruction


The Silky Anteater stood out to me because of how it looks. It's insanely adorable, yes, but I wanted to learn more about this animal because the Silky Anteater seems like a fantastical creature from Harry Potter or Star Trek and definitely not something that would be lounging around trees with monkeys and other more earthly-seeming animals.


But of course, the Silky Anteater is a creature of the earth, and a lot more people are noticing it. I've recently seen Buzzfeed, Instagram, and other platforms highlight the Silky Anteater and its cuteness in a number of articles and posts. So why is the Silky Anteater, out of so many other anteaters and creatures, getting all of this attention? 


I'll let you decide. The Silky Anteater is much like the other three types of anteaters, Giant, Northern and Southern Tamandua. It's a nocturnal and arboreal creature, spending the majority of active hours at night and spending practically all hours in trees, which is actually a really smart move. 


Silky Anteater aren't at the top of their food chain. They're oftentimes threatened by birds-of-prey, such as harpy-eagles, eagle-hawks, and spectacled owls. Although Silky Anteaters are capable of self-defense with their sharp claws, they stay protected from these predators by spending time in Silk-Cotton Trees (Side note: Silky Anteaters are named for their silky fur, not because of these trees). When they sleep, Silky Anteaters curl up into a fuzzy little ball, resembling the seed pods of the Silk Cottom trees. The camouflage the trees provide allows the Silky Anteater to sleep in the comfort of safety.  


And Silky Anteaters sleep a lot. 






https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silky_anteater

https://animalia.bio/silky-anteater

https://news.mongabay.com/2017/12/scientists-determine-there-are-seven-species-of-silky-anteater-not-one/















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