Pygmy anteater, also known as the silky, two-toed or dwarf anteater. Engraving created in the 1700s for renowned work on mammals by German naturalist, Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber (1739-1810), the multi-volume 'Die Saugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen' ('The Mammals in Accordance with Illustrations of Nature with Descriptions'), published from 1775 to 1792. Collectively, the mammals featured by Schreber in this work have come to be known as 'Schreber's Fantastic Beasts'. The engraving was later coloured by hand.
Hand-coloured antique engraving. It depicts a pygmy or silky anteater and was created by an unknown artist for a renowned work on mammals by the German naturalist, Johann Christian Daniel von Schreber (1739-1810). The pygmy anteater, also known as the silky, two-toed or dwarf anteater, is found in southern Mexico and in Central and South America, southward to Bolivia and Brazil. This nocturnal animal lives high in the trees, using its two clawed toes on each forefoot and furred prehensile tail to move about. The feet are equipped with heel pads that can be opposed against the claws, enabling it to grip small branches. It is exquisitely camouflaged, with its silky yellowish coat matching both the colour and texture of the fibrous seed masses produced by the silk-cotton tree. Johan Christian Daniel von Schreber (often styled von Schreber) studied in Germany and Sweden and worked as a medical doctor before starting his most famous work, his multi-volume 'Die Saugthiere in Abbildungen nach der Natur mit Beschreibungen' ('The Mammals in Accordance with Illustrations of Nature with Descriptions'), published from 1775 to 1792. It was illustrated by about 800 plates of the different mammals. The hand-coloured engraving of a pygmy or silky anteater was Plate LXVI (66) in a Schreber volume printed c. 1785. Many of the animals were being given scientific names for the first time, according to the binomial system pioneered by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus. It is likely that none of the artists responsible had actually seen any of the exotic animals they drew, relying instead on descriptions from explorers. Not surprisingly, many of the pictures are quite a long way from zoological reality. Collectively, they have come to be known as 'Schreber's Fantastic Beasts'.
Size: 9829px × 12334px
Location: Against plain background
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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