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The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is an insectivorous mammal native to Central and South America. It is one of four living species of anteaters, of which it is the largest member. The only extant member of the genus Myrmecophaga, it is classified with sloths in the order Pilosa.
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The giant anteater is one of 4 species of anteaters and the largest member, measuring between 6-7 feet in length, and weighing between 27-50kg. They are mostly nocturnal and solitary creatures, except when breeding and mothers bringing up their young.
- Grasslands and rainforests
- 5ft 11-7ft (182 to 217 cms)
- Up to 16 years
Giant anteaters are the largest of the four anteater species, reaching lengths of 6-8 feet. They are native to Central and South America, where they feed on tiny termites and ants using their 2-foot-long tongue, which can flick in and out up to 150 times per minute.
The Giant Anteater is the largest of the Anteater species, hence its name. Other Anteater species include the Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) and the Collared Anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla).
What is the giant anteater? Anteaters are edentate animals—they have no teeth. But their long tongues are more than sufficient to lap up the 35,000 ants and termites they swallow whole each day.
Giant anteaters are quite distinctive morphologically, they are the largest of the anteater species. The snout is long (up to 45 cm in length) and the skull is streamlined with small eyes and ears. The tail is large and bushy and is nearly as long as the body.
Giant anteaters have a polygynous mating system, where one male mates with more than one female. Breeding depends on the region; they can breed either throughout the year or seasonally. Usually, the male and the female mate several times, remaining together for up to 3 days.
