Cyclopes dorsalis
Silhouette: PhyloPic
In 3 days ~30% in a week ~50%
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 →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Braulio Carrillo National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 2 | Corcovado National Park | 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | |
| 3 | Soberanía National Park | 🇵🇦 Panama |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Silky Anteater sighting in Corcovado National Park on a given day, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 22nd most-seen of the 31 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 30%, and over a week to about 50%, if each day is a fresh chance.
May
In that month about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Northern Silky Anteater in Corcovado National Park on a given day, against under 5% in April, June and August–November, the lowest months.
Between 9 am and noon
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Northern Silky Anteater sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
Among the best
Of the 3 parks where we can rate Northern Silky Anteater sightings, Corcovado National Park ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Braulio Carrillo National Park (Costa Rica, about 10%).
Same order: Pilosa
The closest relatives of the Northern Silky Anteater that you can see in Corcovado National Park (order Pilosa, Sloths and Anteaters) are Northern Tamandua (about 60%), Brown-throated Sloth (about 40%) and Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth (about 20%), with each one's daily chance of a sighting.
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Northern Silky Anteater is recorded against all the mammals logged in Corcovado National Park (9 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
