Giant anteater

These specialist predators of termites and ants are not immune to ant bites

Pedro Ferreira do Amaral


Giant anteater

EXEWCRENVUNTLCDDNE

These specialist predators of termites and ants are not immune to ant bites

Population 5,000
30% population loss over the past 10 years

The giant anteater is the largest member of the anteater family and of the order Pilosa, which it shares with sloths. One of its most striking features is its distinctive coat, which is typically greyish or brown in color. This coat is adorned with striking black and white diagonal markings covering the shoulders, providing effective camouflage in its natural habitat. The fur of the giant anteater is long and shaggy on the underside, offering insulation and protection against the elements, while it is coarser on the upper side, providing durability and resilience to wear and tear.

One of the most remarkable adaptations of the giant anteater is its specialized tongue, which is sticky and extremely long, measuring more than 60 centimeters (2 feet) in length. This tongue is the longest of any mammal relative to its body size, allowing the giant anteater to reach deep into ant and termite nests to extract its prey with remarkable precision and efficiency.

Despite its formidable tongue and impressive feeding adaptations, the giant anteater is not immune to ant bites. As a result, it typically does not stay long at colonies of ants or termites, moving on after feeding for only a minute or so to avoid being overwhelmed by the insects’ defensive mechanisms.

Despite its relatively short feeding bouts, the giant anteater is capable of consuming a staggering number of ants and termites each day. Estimates suggest that a single giant anteater can consume anywhere from 30,000 to 35,000 ants per day, making them highly effective predators of these tiny insects.

In addition to its feeding habits, the giant anteater also possesses unique locomotion and behavior patterns. Despite its large size, it is surprisingly agile and can move quickly when necessary, using its powerful legs and sharp claws to navigate its environment and defend itself against potential threats.

Distribution

Country
Population est.
Status
Year
Comments
Argentina
2013
Possibly Extinct
Belize
2013
Possibly Extinct
Bolivia
2013
Brazil
2013
Possibly Extinct
Colombia
2013
Costa Rica
2013
Ecuador
2013
El Salvador
2013
Possibly Extinct
French Guiana
2013
Guatemala
2013
Possibly Extinct
Guyana
2013
Honduras
2013
Nicaragua
2013
Panama
2013
Paraguay
2013
Peru
2013
Suriname
2013
Uruguay
2013
Possibly Extinct
Venezuela
2013

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Terrestrial / Aquatic

Altricial / Precocial

Polygamous / Monogamous

Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic

Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal

Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd

Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore

Migratory: Yes / No

Domesticated: Yes / No

Dangerous: Yes / No

Giant anteater on banknotes

Venezuela 10 Bolivars