Anteater
In the wild
Scientific name: Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Status: Classified as Near Threatened
Distribution: Central and Southern America
Type: Mammal
Diet: Insectivore
At Marwell Wildlife
Anteaters are fed on a specially formulated diet which is called ‘Termant’. The keepers add a small amount of peat and water to the powder and then add an egg yolk on top. They also eat natural yoghurt, crickets and waxworms.
Rotten logs containing bugs are sometimes introduced to the enclosure to encourage the anteaters to eat from them. They also like to rip open cardboard boxes containing leaves and bugs.
Did you know: the tongue on a giant anteater can protrude more than 2 feet (60 cm) to capture prey.
About Anteaters
As their common name suggests, this species is the largest of the living anteaters. They are predominantly solitary, except for mothers and their offspring. A single offspring is produced after a gestation period of 190 days. They are carried on their mother’s back, aligned with the white stripe so that they are very well camouflaged.
Like all anteaters, the giant anteater is capable of climbing trees but very rarely does. They are good swimmers and take to water readily. When walking they move with their nose close to the ground and the side and knuckles of the front feet on the ground. This protects their sharp claws by keeping their tips off the ground.
Pumas and jaguars are the natural predators of a giant anteater. When threatened the anteater will rear up onto its hind legs and slash with their claws.
They are threatened by agricultural encroachment and fires started both naturally and by people.
Adopt an Anteater from £50.00
Our General Adoption scheme includes all this:
- A special Adoption Certificate
- Recognition at your adopted animal's home
- A photo of an Anteater
- A daypass to Marwell Wildlife
- An annual subscription to Marwell News
- Anteater fact sheet
- Presentation folder
- Access to online Adopters Zone
- Car sticker
Want to help even more? Choose Premium Adoption below!