Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Description
The Giant Anteater has a head and body length of 40 to 48 inches; the tail is 26 to 36 inches; and the weight is 40 to 85 lbs. The body is narrow and the fur is gray with black and white coloring along the shoulders. The hair is coarse and thick, longest on the tail. The head is elongated and tapers to a tubular mouth. The long tongue is covered with a sticky secretion that entraps the ants which the anteater feeds on. Anteaters probably have weak vision, but a good sense of smell. Once a termite or ant nest is opened the anteater will eat until the stings from the insects become too frequent and painful, then move on to another nest. For this reason they are not territorial, but rather nomadic. One anteater can consume 35,000 to 50,000 insects per day.
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Range
The giant anteater can be found from southern Belize to northern Argentina.
Habitat
Giant anteaters inhabit savannas, grassland, and humid forests.
Gestation
The gestation period for giant anteaters is about 190 days but as little as 142 days has been observed.
Litter
The litter size for giant anteaters is usually one young.
Behavior
Anteaters are normally out during the day (diurnal) but they can become nocturnal where persecuted. They swim well and will readily go in water. They sleep curled up with the head between the forelegs and the tail covering the body. Their main predators, pumas and jaguars, are very careful to avoid the front claws which can cause serious injuries or death.
Reproduction
In giant anteaters, breeding occurs throughout the year. The young weigh 2.2 to 4.4 pounds at birth. They can open their eyes at 6 days and are weaned in 4 to 6 weeks. A young anteater may be carried on its mother's back for as long as a year, by which time it is nearly grown. The young are very playful and the mothers are extremely protective. Sexual maturity is reached at 2.5 to 4 years of age. The young remain with the mother until she is pregnant again. They are fully grown at 2 years and can feed independently.
Diet (Wild)
Ants, termites and grubs; larvae and adult insects, some fruit
Diet (Zoo)
Leaf eater diet
Conservation Status
Vulnerable
Primary Threats
Human Wildlife Coexistence
