Giant Anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

NATURAL HABITAT
Found in grasslands, savannas, and open areas of tropical forests

DIET
IN THE WILD – Termites, ants, insect larvae, beetles and occasionally fruit
IN THE ZOO – Specially formulated insectivore diet, insects, and fruit

FASCINATING FACTS

• Giant anteaters do not have teeth; instead, they have a tongue that is 2 feet in length.
• Their tongue is coated in a sticky saliva allowing them to slurp up ants and termites.
• They can flick their tongue out up to 150 times per minute.
• If threatened, they may make a roaring sound, but typically will remain non-vocal. They will often rear up on their hind quarters and swipe with their long front claws.
• They can eat up to 30,000 insects a day.
• The giant anteater’s sense of smell is 40 times more powerful than ours.
• In order to avoid being bit by an ant during feeding, the giant anteater feeds for only a minute before moving on to the next colony.
• They have one of the lowest body temperatures of any mammal at 91 degrees Fahrenheit, which is most likely due to their insect diet that is very low in calories.
• Giant anteaters are great swimmers, using the freestyle stroke and their long nose as a snorkel.