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This species is mostly terrestrial, in contrast to other living anteaters and sloths, which are arboreal or semiarboreal. The giant anteater is 182 to 217 cm (5 ft in to 7 ft in) in length, with weights of 33 to 50 kg (73 to 110 lb) for males and 27 to 47 kg (60 to 104 lb) for females.
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. Fact Sheet. Conservation.
- Anteaters Are of the Same Order, Xenarthra, as Armadillos. "This order also includes sloths and armadillos," says Melissa Ciccariello, zookeeper in charge of anteaters for Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island, via an email interview.
- They Don't Have the Longest Tongue of Any Animal. While the giant anteater's tongue is about 20 to 24 inches (51 to 61 centimeters) long, the blue whale has the largest tongue of any animal alive today, according to Schwartz.
- Anteaters Slip Their "Spaghetti-like" Tongue Into Ant Hills and Termite Mounds to Eat. "They use their claws to break open ant and termite mounds," says Ciccariello.
- An Anteater Will Eat up to 30,000 Ants or Termites a Day. "While anteaters will eat primarily ants and termites, it's not uncommon for them to enjoy fallen fruit," says Schwartz.
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How long is an anteater's tongue? - Discover Wildlife
Feeding on Ants. The giant anteater uses its sharp claws to tear an opening into an anthill and put its long snout, sticky saliva, and efficient tongue to work. But it has to eat quickly, flicking ...
With a length of up to 7 feet 2.1 meters, including its tail, and weighing up to 80 pounds 36 kilograms, the Giant Anteater is the largest species of anteater. Its dense fur provides effective protection against ant bites while its snout and sticky tongue, which can extend up to 2 feet 60 centimeters, help it feed on its favorite prey - ants ...
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. Anteaters will mark trees with urine to advertise their presence.
