20 Little-Known Facts About Anteaters & How To See Them in The Wild

Anteaters, the enigmatic and fascinating creatures of the suborder Vermilingua, are captivating the imagination of wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers worldwide. With their elongated snouts, distinctive bushy tails, and remarkable appetite for ants and termites, these unique mammals are an essential part of the ecosystems they inhabit.

Found primarily in Central and South America, anteaters come in various sizes and shapes, from the elusive silky anteater to the colossal giant anteater. In this article, we’ll explore the extraordinary world of anteaters, uncovering surprising facts and delving into their peculiar behaviors.

We’ll also guide you on an unforgettable journey to discover how and where to spot these magnificent animals in their natural habitat, creating memories that will last a lifetime. So join us as we unravel the mysteries of the amazing anteater!

Essential Information About The Anteater

20 Amazing, Little-Known Facts About The Anteater

1. Four unique species: There are four different species of anteaters, each with distinct features and sizes. The giant anteater, silky anteater, northern tamandua, and southern tamandua can all be found in various parts of Central and South America (source: National Geographic).
2. Anteaters have no teeth: Despite their name, anteaters do not actually “eat” ants; they lap them up. Anteaters have no teeth and rely on their long, sticky tongues to capture their prey (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
3. Tongue length: An anteater’s tongue can extend up to 2 feet in length, which is longer than its head! The tongue is covered in sticky saliva, allowing it to easily capture ants and termites (source: World Wildlife Fund).
4. Incredible sense of smell: Anteaters have an extraordinary sense of smell, which is 40 times more powerful than a human’s. They use this keen sense to locate ant and termite nests (source: Animal Corner).
5. Anteaters and ants: Despite consuming thousands of ants and termites daily, anteaters never destroy an entire colony. They only feed for a short time at each nest, allowing the insects to repopulate (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
6. Claws for defense: Anteaters have sharp, curved claws that they use for defense against predators. They can stand on their hind legs, using their tail for balance, and swipe at threats with their powerful front legs (source: World Wildlife Fund).
7. Solitary creatures: Anteaters are primarily solitary animals, only coming together to mate or when a mother is raising her young (source: National Geographic).
8. Sleep habits: Giant anteaters sleep for around 15 hours a day, curled up with their bushy tails wrapped around their bodies to keep them warm (source: Rainforest Alliance).
9. Unique reproductive cycle: Female anteaters have a gestation period of around six months and give birth to only one offspring at a time. Baby anteaters ride on their mother’s back for up to a year (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
10. Threatened by habitat loss: The giant anteater is classified as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List due to habitat loss, road accidents, and hunting. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these unique creatures (source: IUCN Red List).
11. Swimmers: Anteaters are surprisingly good swimmers. They use their snouts as snorkels and can even swim across rivers (source: Animal Corner).
12. Anteater communication: Anteaters communicate through a variety of sounds, including snorts, hisses, and grunts. They also use scent glands to mark their territory or communicate with other anteaters (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
13. Body temperature regulation: Anteaters have a low metabolic rate, which helps them conserve energy. Their body temperature is slightly lower than that of most mammals, ranging from 90.5°F to 97°F (source: National Geographic).
14. Specialized stomach: Anteaters have a specialized stomach that uses strong contractions and some ingested sand and dirt to grind up the ants and termites they consume (source: Animal Corner).
15. Prehensile tail: The silky anteater has a prehensile tail, which allows it to grip branches and navigate the tree canopy with ease (source: Rainforest Alliance).
16. Anteaters and agriculture: Some anteater species, like the tamanduas, are considered beneficial to agriculture because they consume pests like termites and ants that can damage crops (source: Animal Corner).
17. Excellent tree climbers: Tamanduas, both northern and southern, are adept tree climbers, using their strong limbs and curved claws to move through the forest canopy (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
18. Anteaters in mythology: In some South American indigenous cultures, the giant anteater is believed to have special powers and is considered a symbol of strength and wisdom (source: Rainforest Alliance).
19. Near-sightedness: Anteaters have relatively poor eyesight, relying more on their sense of smell to locate food and navigate their environment (source: National Geographic).
20. Prehistoric relatives: Fossils of ancient anteater-like creatures have been found dating back over 50 million years, indicating that these fascinating mammals have a long evolutionary history (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).

Where & How To See Anteaters In The Wild?

To witness the remarkable anteaters in their natural habitat, you’ll want to visit regions where they are commonly found. Here are some tips to help you plan your anteater-watching adventure:

1. Choose the right location: Anteaters can be found in Central and South America. The giant anteater inhabits grasslands, savannas, and forests, while tamanduas and silky anteaters primarily reside in forests (source: National Geographic). Some prime locations to spot anteaters include Brazil’s Pantanal wetlands and the Cerrado biome, as well as Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park and Colombia’s Los Llanos region (source: Rainforest Expeditions).
2. Guided tours: To maximize your chances of spotting an anteater, consider joining a guided tour led by local experts who are familiar with the animals’ behavior and habitats. Many eco-lodges and tour operators in these regions offer wildlife watching excursions that may include anteater sightings (source: Rainforest Expeditions).
3. Timing is key: Anteaters are typically most active during early mornings and late afternoons, so plan your wildlife watching excursions during these times. In some locations, anteaters may also be active at night (source: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance).
4. Be patient and quiet: As anteaters rely more on their sense of smell than their eyesight, it’s essential to be quiet and move slowly while observing them. Keep a safe distance, and avoid disturbing the animals in their natural environment (source: Rainforest Expeditions).
5. Binoculars and cameras: Bring a good pair of binoculars for a closer look, and a camera to capture memorable moments of your anteater encounters. Remember to use a zoom lens and avoid using flash photography, as it can startle the animals (source: Rainforest Expeditions).

By following these tips and immersing yourself in the stunning landscapes of Central and South America, you’ll have a great chance of observing these fascinating creatures in the wild.