3. Anteater’s Feeding Habits
Anteaters use their claws to break open ant and termite mounds and stick their tongues into the tunnels to eat insects. Their tongues are covered in super-sticky saliva that traps the ants or termites. After delivering the insects into their mouth, they crush them with the roof of their mouth and swallow them. Anteaters do not fully destroy an ant or termite mound to feed on it again when they return.
4. Anteaters’ Diet
Anteaters primarily eat ants and termites but also enjoy fallen fruit like mangos and avocados. They break into the fruit with their claws and pull it into their mouth using their lips.
5. Anteaters’ Sleeping Habits
Anteaters sleep in a ball and cover themselves with their tails to keep themselves camouflaged. They can also cool themselves off by using their tail as a fan.
6. Anteaters’ Claws
Anteaters’ front claws are large and sharp. They walk with their front feet slightly curled to protect their claws from wearing down. Anteaters use their claws to break open termite mounds, deadwood, and anthills to access the insects they need to eat.
A 3-month-old baby Southern Tamandua Konbu, a genus of anteater, feels safe and comfortable holding on to its mother’s back at Sunshine International Aquarium in Tokyo, Japan.
Junko Kimura/Getty Images
7. Anteaters’ Defense Mechanism
Anteaters can be dangerous to humans if they feel threatened. It’s best to give them their space. Their big, sharp claws can be used as defensive weapons, and they can eviscerate a human. They can also rear up on their back legs and swipe.
8. Keeping Anteaters as Pets
In some parts of the world, it’s legal to have an anteater as a pet. However, they require specialized food and unique medical requirements, so having a veterinarian on hand who understands their needs is necessary. Anteaters also love to dig and tear things apart, which makes them very destructive.
Now That’s Interesting: Anteaters take baths by laying in water and cleaning their tails and skin by scratching themselves. Their super-sticky saliva means they can’t clean their bodies by licking themselves.
FAQ
1. What is an anteater?
An anteater is a mammal that feeds on ants and termites. It is native to Central and South America and is known for its long snout and tongue.
2. How long can an anteater’s tongue be?
An anteater’s tongue can be up to 2 feet long! This is because the tongue is specially adapted to reach deep into ant and termite mounds to collect food.
3. What do anteaters eat?
As mentioned, anteaters feed on ants and termites. They use their long snout to sniff out the insects and their sticky tongue to collect them. In fact, an anteater can eat up to 35,000 insects in a single day!
4. How big are anteaters?
Anteaters can range in size from 4 to 7 feet long and can weigh anywhere from 66 to 140 pounds. They have long, curved claws that they use to dig into ant and termite mounds.
5. Do anteaters have any natural predators?
Anteaters do not have any natural predators due to their tough skin and powerful claws. However, they are still threatened by habitat loss and hunting by humans.
6. How do anteaters defend themselves?
Aside from their tough skin and claws, anteaters can also defend themselves by standing on their hind legs and using their front claws to fight off predators. They can also emit a strong odor as a defense mechanism.
7. Are anteaters social animals?
Anteaters are solitary animals and do not typically socialize with others of their kind. They only come together during mating season.
8. What is the lifespan of an anteater?
An anteater can live up to 15 years in the wild, but they often face threats from humans such as hunting and habitat destruction, which can shorten their lifespan.
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