Giant Anteater
at Audubon Zoo
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Meet the Giant Anteater
Giant Anteater Behavior
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is a terrestrial insectivorous mammal with a long snout and a long, sticky tongue. While they are generally solitary, mothers will carry their young on their backs until weaned.
Giant Anteater Eating Habits
That long, sticky tongue is perfect for grabbing the anteater’s favorite foods, including termites and ants.
Giant Anteater Conservation Efforts
Anteaters are listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction, poaching and highway mortality. They are protected in some areas of their range.
Giant Anteater Facts
Anteaters have no teeth and their tongues are about 2 feet long. They can flick their tongue in and out of their mouths up 150 times per minute, which makes eating ants a breeze!
Anteaters can weigh between 60-100 lbs.
Wild anteaters average 14 years old and under human care up to mid-20's.
Giant Anteater Range
Grasslands and rainforests in Central and South America
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