Silky Anteater: World's Smallest Anteater
Image: Unsplash
The silky anteater is the world's smallest anteater, weighing just over 400 grams and measuring up to 14 inches long
Image: Unsplash
Also known as pygmy anteater, it lives in the treetops of tropical rainforests in Central and South America
Image: Unsplash
This is a solitary and nocturnal animal, with dense and soft fur. It may look cute and fluffy, but will put up a fight when threatened
Image: Unsplash
The silky anteater's feet are modified to climb and have long claws to grip tree trunks and branches
Image: Unsplash
As their name suggests, they primarily eat ants, and consume up to 5,000 of these insects a day
Image: Unsplash
Their long claws help them rip open ant nests. With sensitive pink-tipped nose, sticky, and long tongue they sniff out food and trap ants
Image: Unsplash
Silky anteaters have proportionately shorter faces and larger crania than other species
Image: Unsplash
Its tail is longer than its body and prehensile, which means it can hold onto things
Image: Unsplash
When it detects a predator, it curls into a ball to resemble seed pods to avoid being seen
Image: Unsplash
Check More Stories
Image: Unsplash
ndtv.com