Wildlife
Giant anteaters, as the name suggests are the largest of their family, and equipped with a sticky tongue which stretches over half a metre. They have evolved this specific appendage to feed on tiny insects. Almost blind, they rely on an excellent sense of smell to locate the ants and termites which make up their diet. Giant anteaters have no teeth, and walk on their wrists, and although this may look peculiar, it’s the perfect way to protect their delicate curly digging claws.
Did you know?
A giant anteater can flick its tongue 150 times a minute.
Scientific name: Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Rank: Species
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Tree climber
Giant anteaters have never been filmed climbing trees until now.
Giant anteaters have never been filmed climbing trees until now.
The giant anteater and the termites
Anteaters don’t only eat ants - they often prefer termites.
Anteaters don’t only eat ants - they often prefer termites. This is because, gram for gram, termites are one of the richest sources of the nutrient nitrogen, which is needed for making proteins. Even in grasslands, which are known for their lack of nitrogen in the soil, termites thrive. The reason? Termites can make their own nitrogen from thin air. Which is why grasslands need termites.
Termite terminator
Giant anteaters sniff out food as they wander the Brazilian savannah.
Giant anteaters sniff out food as they wander the Brazilian savannah.
Light lunch
Termites will fight back so giant anteaters must harvest their food quickly and move on.
At just 32.7°C, the giant anteater has the lowest body temperature of any terrestrial mammal.
Fast food
Anteaters leave a trail of destruction as they snack speedily on termites.
Anteaters leave a trail of destruction as they snack speedily on termites.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Giant anteater can be found in a number of locations including: South America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Giant anteater distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Near Threatened
Population trend: Decreasing
Year assessed: 2008
Classified by: IUCN 3.1
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), also known as the ant bear, is a large insectivorous mammal native to Central and South America. It is one of four living species of anteater and is classified with sloths in the order Pilosa. This species is mostly terrestrial, in contrast to other living anteaters and sloths which are arboreal or semi-arboreal. The giant anteater is the largest of its family, 182–217 cm (5.97–7.12 ft) in length, with weights of 33–41 kg (73–90 lb) for males and 27–39 kg (60–86 lb) for females. It is recognizable by its elongated snout, bushy tail, long foreclaws and distinctively colored pelage.
The anteater can be found in multiple habitats including grassland and rainforest. It forages in open areas and rests in more forested habitats. It feeds primarily on ants and termites, using its foreclaws to dig them up and its long, sticky tongue to collect them. Though giant anteaters live in overlapping home ranges, they are mostly solitary except during mother-offspring relationships, aggressive interactions between males, and when mating. Mother anteaters carry their offspring on their backs until weaning them.
The giant anteater is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has been extirpated from some parts of its former range. Threats to its survival include habitat destruction and poaching for fur and bushmeat, though some anteaters inhabit protected areas. With its distinctive appearance and habits, the anteater has been featured in pre-Columbian myths and folktales as well as modern popular culture.
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Desert
Flooded grassland
Swamp
Tropical coniferous forest
Tropical dry forest
Tropical grassland
Rainforest
Carnivorous
Acoustic communication
Maternal care
Nomadic
Active at birth
Chemical communication
Viviparous