Tamandua – Lesser anteaters

These unique animals are closely related to their larger cousin, the giant anteater. There are two living species in the genus: the southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and the northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana). Both are expert ant and termite hunters, armed with strong claws, long sticky tongues, and no teeth at all.

Tamanduas are medium-sized anteaters, typically ranging from 90 to 130 cm (3 to 4 feet) in total length, with about half of that length made up by their strong, prehensile tails, which they use like a fifth limb for gripping branches. Their bodies are stocky and muscular, with thick fur that varies in color from golden tan to pale yellow, often with a distinctive black vest-like pattern (especially in the southern species), which makes them look like they’re wearing a little jacket.

What makes tamanduas especially interesting is their semi-arboreal lifestyle. They are just as comfortable climbing trees as they are walking on the ground. In the forest canopy, they use their strong forelimbs and curved claws to grip branches and strip apart insect nests, while their long tail helps them balance and hang as they forage. On the ground, they walk awkwardly on the outsides of their fists to avoid stabbing themselves with their own claws—an odd but effective way to move.

Tamanduas are solitary and mostly nocturnal, although they may be active during the day in undisturbed areas. Their diet consists mainly of ants and termites, which they extract from nests and logs using a long, narrow tongue that can extend up to 40 cm (16 inches) and is covered in sticky saliva. They can eat thousands of insects per day, and because they don’t destroy entire colonies, their feeding behavior has minimal long-term impact on the insect population.