GIANT ANTEATER

Giant anteaters are the largest of the four anteater species. They can reach up to 8 feet long from nose to tail. They are also known for their very distinctive features like a long, narrow snout, which is ideal for accessing ant and termite nests. As well as, bushy, long tails that are perfect for sunshade or a blanket when needed. They have long and sharp claws on the front feet, used for digging and defense. A long and sticky tongue, extending up to two feet used to slurp up insects and a very powerful sense of smell.

The giant anteater is native to Central and South America. They range from Honduras in Central America , to the Gran Chaco region of Bolivia and Northern Argentina. They can be found in tropical and dry forests. As well as savannas, open grasslands and wetlands.

Anteaters are generally solitary. You can find the giant anteater primarily spending their day foraging for ants and termites.  They use their keen sense of smell to locate insects nest and their powerful claws to tear them open and then their long sticky tongues to eat them.  They also spends a significant amount of time resting and sleeping. A giant anteater can sleep for up to 15 hours a day, often curled up with their long fur as a blanket. They are generally slow-moving animals and prefer to stay in one place when not foraging.The life cycle of a giant ant eater begins with a 6 month gestation period. The offspring are born one at a time , covered in full fur and adult markings. Newborns remain nursing and traveling  on their mothers backs for up to a year and reach full maturity between 2 and 4 years of age.

As previously mentioned, giant anteaters primarily eat ants and termites. Ants and termites are abundant and provide essential nutrients. Their water is  received primarily from the insects they consume, as well as, licking leaves along the way. They consume up to 30,000 insects on a daily basis. They use their sharp claws to to break open the nests and their long sticky tongues to collect the insects. The tongue is attached to the sternum and can flick in and out up to 150 times per minute. While their diet is primarily insects, they may also eat guns, soft bodied insects and fruit. 

While giant anteaters typically avoid confrontation, they have two main predators, Jaguars and cougars. When threatened, giant anteaters will often flee. However, if cornered they will rear up on their hind legs, using their tail for balance, and attack with their sharp and powerful claws, which can measure up to 10 cm long.