There are four known species of anteaters; the giant anteater, the anteater, the tamanduaí, the giant anteater and the giant anteater. The giant anteater is the largest of them, and is also the best known. The giant anteater is the smallest species, being the smallest anteater in the world.

The tamanduaí, the smallest anteater in the world (Image: Quinten Questel, public domain)

Also known as the anteater or silky anteater, the Cyclopes didactylus is a small aboriginal animal that can be found in several places in Latin America. Although it is a very curious animal, it is very difficult to find because it is tiny and lives in the treetops. It measures no more than 30 centimeters and has only 300 grams.

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With a brownish-brown fur, this is the only species of Cyclopes with clearly marked dark dorsal and ventral stripes. The anteater feeds mainly on small insects it finds in the trees at night, and usually sleeps during the day.

Researchers differentiate the anteaters mainly by the number of toes on the front paws. The young ones have four toes ("tetradactyl", from Latin), the bandeira has three ("tridactyl") and the tamanduaí, two ("didactyl").

Anatomy of the tamanduaí hand. (Image: Frank E. Beddard - The Cambridge Natural History, Volume X-Mammalia, Public domain)

The world's smallest anteater and its conservation status

The tamanduaí inhabits tropical forests. The low metabolic rate of this species and its reduced capacity for thermoregulation limits its distribution to forests below 1,500 m. The subpopulation of the northeastern C. didactylus is restricted to lowland humid tropical rainforest and mangroves.

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The anteater is not able to survive in sugarcane plantations and agricultural crops, which over time are replacing the original vegetation of its habitat. This small animal is mainly threatened because deforestation and forest fires destroy its habitat.

The anteater is the smallest of all anteaters, measuring about 55 cm and weighing only 300 grams, and is threatened mainly due to deforestation and forest fires.

A curious fact

A curious fact about this small animal is that the tamanduaí takes a defensive posture when it feels threatened, standing up under its hind legs, which are always attached to some support, and wrapping its tail securely around this support, forming a kind of tripod. With its front legs and strong claws positioned close to the animal's face, it flexes its body forward andAlthough the front legs are suspended, the animal does not lose its balance and stands firm. This is a way for the small animal to intimidate possible predators.