Different Breeds of Ant-Eaters

Anteaters belong to the same order of mammals as sloths, which is Pilosa. In the suborder Vermilingua, four species of anteater can be found in two families. All of these species share the same common adaptations for feeding on small colony insects such as ants. Most species have strong claws and arms to tear open insect nests. All anteaters have long sticky tongues with which they catch the ants.

  1. Giant Anteater

    • The giant anteater is the largest of the four species, growing to 7 feet in length, nose to tail, and weighing up to 140 lbs. It is found throughout Central and South America living in tropical forests as well as open grasslands. It is a non-aggressive animal but can defend itself against predators such as jaguars with 4-inch long sharp claws. The claws are also used to rip into ant and termite nests. The animal then uses its long, sticky tongue to pull insects from the nest, eating up to 35,000 per day.

    Southern Tamandua Anteater

    • The Southern Tamandua grows to just under 5 feet in length, nose to tail, and weighs up to 17 lbs. It is also known as the lesser anteater because it is much smaller than its giant cousin. It is found in South America in such countries as Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela and Uruguay. It lives in forested areas often near streams. It is a capable climber, more at home in the trees than on the ground. It gets food in the same way as the giant anteater.

    Northern Tamandua Anteater

    • The northern tamandua is closely related to the southern variety and is almost identical in size and appearance. The northern variety can be identified by a black V-shape running the length of its back that the southern tamandua lacks. As the name would suggest, the northern variety ranges much further north, living in both Central and South America. It is a tree dwelling species and, like the southern tamandua, is clumsy on the ground. Both tamandua species use long, powerful claws like the giant anteater for defense and tearing open insect nests.

    Silky Anteater

    • The silky anteater is the smallest of the four species. It grows to between 6 and 9 inches long and reaches weights of just over 17 ounces. It lives from southern Mexico to Bolivia and in parts of Brazil. It is a tree dwelling species, preferring the high canopy of rain forests. Being so small, it is vulnerable to large birds of prey so, like all the tamandua anteaters, it is nocturnal. It feeds the same way as all anteaters, using its long tongue to consume up to 8,000 ants daily.