There are four species of anteater: the giant anteater, the silky anteater, the northern tamandua, and the southern tamandua. Giant anteaters are the largest of the four species, and can grow up to 2 meters (6.5 feet) long. They have long, bushy tails that help them to balance when they are climbing trees. Silky anteaters are the smallest of the four species, and can grow up to 35 centimeters (14 inches) long. They have short, silky fur and long, prehensile tails that help them to grasp branches. Northern tamanduas are found in Central America, while southern tamanduas are found in South America. Both species are about the same size, and can grow up to 55 centimeters (22 inches) long. They have long, bushy tails and short, silky fur.
Anteaters are solitary animals that spend most of their time in trees. They use their long tongues to lick up ants and termites from the bark of trees and the ground. They also use their claws to dig into ant and termite nests. Anteaters have very poor eyesight, but they have a keen sense of smell and hearing.
Aardvarks, on the other hand, are nocturnal animals that spend most of their time underground. They use their long, sharp claws to dig burrows in the ground. They also use their claws to dig up ants and termites. Aardvarks have very good eyesight, but they have a poor sense of smell and hearing.
In conclusion, aardvarks and anteaters are two different animals that share some similarities, such as their long, sticky tongues and their diets of ants and termites. However, they are not the same animal, and they have many different physical and behavioral characteristics.