Giant anteaters are solitary mammals found in savannas and forests of Central and South America. They use their long claws and snouts to rip open termite and ant mounds and lick up the insects inside with their long, sticky tongues which can protrude more than 2 feet. They are mostly nocturnal and spend their days resting. The Giant Anteater has a slender body, long snout, and bushy tail. It has long, sharp claws on its front feet, which it uses to tear open termite mounds and ant nests. The tongue of the giant anteater can extend up to 60 centimeters (24 inches)
- Conservation Status : Vulnerable
- Habitat : Grasslands, Wetlands and Marshes
- Conservation Projects : Projeto Tamandúa at Baia das Pedras Pantanal
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Pilosa
- Family: Myrmecophagidae
- Genus: Myrmecophaga
Diet
Insects, especially ants and termites
Colors
Gray and black fur
Fun Facts
Giant anteaters can consume tens of thousands of ants and termites each day! Their saliva helps immobilize and digest prey. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell, which helps them locate ant and termite colonies. Giant anteaters have a unique walking gait, where they walk on their knuckles with their claws folded to avoid wearing them down. They have specialized fur patterns that act as camouflage, resembling tree bark or dappled sunlight.
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Transpantaneira
TranspantaneiraBaia das Pedras – Aquidauana – Mato Grosso do sul
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