Species group · Mammals
Anteaters
WAnimals has 3 species of anteater, in the family Myrmecophagidae.
- 3 species
- 1 family
- 21 countries
- 110 parks
- Weight
- 3.2 kg – 45.5 kg
- Length
- 47 cm – 2.2 m
- Lifespan
- 9 – 15 years
Ranges calculated from the profiles that record the figure, not from all 3.
All 3 species of anteaters on WAnimals
Each one has its own full profile. This group does not replace them: it brings them together.
Conservation status
2 Least Concern1 Vulnerable
1 species in this group is in a threatened category according to the IUCN.
Where they live
Recorded in 21 countries. The ones with the most species in the group:
Where to see them
Did you know…?
It eats up to 30,000 ants and termites a day with a tongue that extends up to 61 cm.
From Giant Anteater
It carries its pup on its back for about a year, the youngster's stripes lining up with its own as camouflage.
From Giant Anteater
It never destroys a nest completely, so that it can come back and feed from the same colony.
From Giant Anteater
When it feels threatened it rears up on its hind legs and tail, spreads its arms and waits motionless with its claws ready, a very characteristic defensive posture.
From Southern Tamandua
It is selective about its prey: it deliberately avoids the most aggressive ants, such as army ants, and prefers species with a less painful bite.
From Southern Tamandua
It can eat several thousand ants and termites a day, but visits each nest for only a few minutes: that way it does not exhaust the nest and avoids collecting too many bites from the soldiers.
From Northern Tamandua
It has not a single tooth: it grinds insects in a muscular gizzard with the help of swallowed grains of sand, just as birds do.
From Northern Tamandua