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- There are four species of anteater: the giant anteater, the northern and southern tamanduas (also known as lesser anteaters), and the silky anteater.
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Sep 25, 2023 · They were once considered related to aardvarks (burrowing nocturnal mammals) and pangolins (also called scaly anteaters, although they aren’t true anteaters). These three had similar physical characteristics – strong forearms adapted for digging, tube-like snouts, and long tongues.
- Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) The largest anteater on Earth is the giant anteater, an enormous mammal that grows 6 to 8 feet long and weighs between 60 to 100 pounds!
- Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) Southern tamanduas are native to South America. They live east of the Andes, as well as north to Colombia, Trinidad, and the Guianas.
- Northern Tamandua (Tamandua Mexicana) Although some of its range overlaps with the southern tamandua, the northern tamandua lives mostly in southern Mexico, down through Central America to Northern Venezuela and Northern Peru.
- Common Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) The smallest type of anteater is the adorable silky anteater. Also known as the dwarf or pygmy anteater, this small insectivore only grows 14 to 18 inches and weighs just 6.2 to 14.1 ounces!
- Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) The Giant Anteater is a remarkable animal found in Central and South America. It is the largest member of its family, measuring up to 7 feet from snout to tail.
- Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) The Silky Anteater, or Pygmy Anteater, lives in South and Central America. They are lighter than Giant Anteaters, with golden brown fur and hints of silver on their backs.
- Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) The Northern Tamandua, also known as the Mexican Tamandua or Mexican Anteater, is a medium-sized anteater in the tropical forests of Central and South America.
- Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) The Southern Tamandua, also called Collared Anteater or Lesser Anteater, is a South American mammal with pale yellow and coarse fur marked by a V-shaped pattern in black or dark brown.
Find out more about the four species of anteaters, including the giant anteater, the southern tamandua, the northern tamandua, and the silky anteater.
- Silky Anteaters. Scientific name: Cyclopes didactylus. The silky anteater is the smallest living anteater species and a stark contrast to the giant anteater.
- Giant Anteaters. Scientific name: Myrmecophaga tridactyla. The opposite of the silky anteater, the giant anteater is the largest anteater species. They’re capable of growing longer than 7 feet in length and weighing more than 100 pounds.
- Northern Tamanduas. Scientific name: Tamandua mexicana. Northern tamanduas have the most limited territory of all anteaters, as they’re only found in parts of southern Mexico, Central America, and a northwestern pocket of South America, alongside the coast.
- Southern Tamanduas. Scientific name: Tamandua tetradactyla. The final anteater on the list inhabits a very wide range of habitats across South America, making it possibly the most widespread anteater.
Apr 12, 2024 · Anteater, (suborder Vermilingua), any of four species of toothless, insect-eating mammals found in tropical savannas and forests from southern Mexico to Paraguay and northern Argentina. They are long-tailed animals with elongated skulls and tubular muzzles.
There are four species of anteater: the giant anteater, the northern and southern tamanduas (also known as lesser anteaters), and the silky anteater. Giant anteaters are much larger than the other species and spend most of their time on the ground, while the other three species are smaller and primarily arboreal (tree dwellers).
