Animal Information

Giant Anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

Giant Anteater

Range

Central and South America from southern Belize and Guatemala to northern Argentina

Habitat

They use a variety of habitats, including swamp, forests and grasslands. They choose secluded, covered areas for sleeping, and they can be found in both rural and densely populated areas.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Long snouts up to 45cm (17.7 inches), head and body measure 1000 to 1200mm (39.37 to 47.24 inches) and a tail of 650 to 900mm (25.59 to 35.43 inches.) Their hind feet have 5 short claws and their forefeet have 5 claws with the inner 3 being very long and sharp.

Dietary Classification

Diet in the Zoo: 50%-50% combination of Mazuri Brand Exotic Feline Biscuits and Primate Browse Biscuits, which the commissary grinds to a cornmeal-like consistency. The keeper then adds water to it, forming an oatmeal-like consistency.

Diet in the Wild: ants, termites, soft-bodied grubs, and sometimes fruit

Life Span

15+ years in captivity

Behavior/Adaptations

1. They walk on the knuckles of their forefeet with their long claws curled inward.
2. They have no teeth, but their tongue extends 610mm (24 inches) outside their mouth and has spine-like protrusions.
3. They can flick their tongue 150 times per minute and consume as many as 35,000 ants or termites in a day.
4. Their extremely sticky saliva plays an important role in the capture of prey items.

Status

CITES Appendix II – not threatened, but need to be controlled in trade. Listed as vulnerable by the IUCN with an estimated population reduction of 20% in the next 10 years.

Classification

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species
Animalia Chordata Mammalia Xenarthra Myrmecophagidae Myrmecophaga tridactyla