The Little Anteater, Everything About This Species
The giant anteater is a typical species of South America, which lives mainly in regions of arid forests and savannas.
Despite what its name in other languages suggests, this beautiful animal is not related to bears, but to anteaters.
Next, we invite you to know the main characteristics of the anteater, its habitat, feeding and reproduction.
Physical Characteristics and Taxonomy of the Little Anteater
The anteater ( Tamandua tetradactyla ) is a species of anteater that belongs to the Myrmecophagidae family. This species native to South America is also known as the Amazon anteater.
Morphologically, it is a small anteater, whose body reaches between 50 and 90 centimeters. Its tail can represent between 30% and 40% of its total body length, and measures between 40 and 60 centimeters.
Almost the entire body of this animal is covered with smooth, thick hair that is close to the body. The fur is noticeably more abundant and longer on the back, while the head and feet show softer, shorter fur. On the other hand, the tip and underside of the tail are bald.
Regarding the hair color, an incredible diversity is observed among specimens from different geographic locations.
In Brazil and Venezuela, specimens with solid colors, which can vary between black, brown and beige , predominate.
However, specimens from Argentina and Paraguay usually have multiple spots. On her body, we see large patches near her back and several marks that extend from the base of her neck to her tail. These dots are typically black and may show different distribution patterns.
On the front legs we see four sharp nails, while the hind legs show five points. Interestingly, its nails are so sharp that the anteater needs to walk with its weight on the back of its extremities (feet). This way, you avoid getting pierced and hurting your own paws.
One of the most striking features of the little anteater is its elongated, cylindrical, curved snout, with the approximate inner diameter of a pencil. Inside is the protruding tongue, which is common to all anteaters.
Habitat and feeding of the baby anteater
The anteater is an anteater native to South America and is considered an endemic species in Argentina. In South America, it lives mainly in tropical forests, rainforests, savannas and mountains.
In general, they prefer to live near freshwater beds, such as rivers or streams, with a predominance of vine vegetation.
These plants are an excellent food source for baby anteaters. But there are also species adapted to savannas and dry forests.
With regard to its food, the anteater is a myrmecophagous animal, which feeds mainly on ants and termites.
For this reason, it is also known as the South American anteater. Their feeding is careful and selective, since in the Amazon there are many species of poisonous ants.
Also, the baby anteater really loves honey and tends to consume bees occasionally. It can also complement your nutrition with regional fruits.
Hunting technique and tongue of anteaters
The ‘hunting’ technique of the little anteater is very similar to that of all anteaters. With their powerful claws, they make holes in the bark of trees. Then they insert their thin, sticky tongue to “capture” prey inside the wood.
Language is another very striking feature of anteaters and, consequently, of the anteater. Its entire surface is covered with a sticky substance that acts as a kind of glue, which makes the insects stick to your tongue and cannot escape.
Reproduction and habits of the baby anteater
Minor anteaters are solitary animals that maintain mainly nocturnal habits, although they can also be active during part of the day. In general, males and females only meet during mating periods.
The reproductive phase of the anteater occurs mainly in the summer, because the females are seasonal polyestrus. After mating, gestation lasts from 120 to 150 days and the female gives birth to a single offspring during the spring.
The mother takes care of her baby, always carries him on her back and feeds him until he is ready to live alone. Their life expectancy is usually 8 to 10 years.
