
Brazil's Xenarthrans
Xenarthrans are a group of mammals that include anteaters, sloths, and armadillos. The name xenarthran comes from two Greek words meaning “unusual joints.” Today there are about 40 species of xenarthrans. Some hang upside down from trees, others have a long snout with a very long tongue, and some dig the ground in search of insects and small invertebrates. Some will even eat dead animals! All current and extinct species have been found in specific regions of the Americas, mostly South America. Check out the species below that call Brazil home. To discover the animal’s diet, lifespan, habitat and fun facts click on their image.
Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla

Thomas's silky anteater - Cyclopes thomasi

Rio Negro silky anteater - Cyclopes ida

Common pygmy anteater - Cyclopes didactylus

Xingu pygmy anteater - Cyclopes xinguensis

Red pygmy anteater - Cyclopes rufus

Southern anteater - Tamandua tetradactyla

Hoffmann's Two-fingered Sloth

Linné's Two-fingered Sloth

Northern Maned Sloth

Southern Maned Sloth

Brown throated Sloth

Pale-throated Sloth

Armadillos
Armadillos are the only mammals that have a carapace or dorsal armor made of small bony plates. Their diversity is truly astonishing.
Amazon Naked-Tailed Armadillo

Cerrado naked-tailed armadillo

Greater Naked-tailed Armadillo

Greater Long-nosed Armadillo

Nine-banded Armadillo

Seven-Banded Armadillo

Greater long-nosed armadillo

Greater Long-nosed Armadillo

Six-banded Armadillo

Giant Armadillo

Southern Three-banded Armadillo

Brazilian Three-banded Armadillo



