Giant anteater
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The giant anteater is the largest member of the group of anteaters, measuring 1.74 to 2.8 meters (5.7-9.2 feet) in length, including the 64 to 90 centimeter (25-35 inch) tail. The weight ranges from 22 to 39 kilograms (48-88 pounds) (Grzimek et al. 2004). | The giant anteater is the largest member of the group of anteaters, measuring 1.74 to 2.8 meters (5.7-9.2 feet) in length, including the 64 to 90 centimeter (25-35 inch) tail. The weight ranges from 22 to 39 kilograms (48-88 pounds) (Grzimek et al. 2004). | ||
| − | The giant anteater has a long, thin head, small eyes, | + | The giant anteater has a long, thin head, small eyes, rounded ears, and a bushy and long (but not prehensile) tail. The worm-like tongue can extend more than 0.6 meters (2 feet) and has a width of only 12.5 millimeters (0.5 inch). The anteater can cover its tongue in a sticky [[saliva]], allowing it to trap [[ants]], and the tongue can be extended and withdrawn up to 150 times per minute. The giant anteater, [[pangolin|pangolins]], and [[tube-lipped nectar bat]],while only distally related, all have tongues that are detached from their [[hyoid]] bone and extend past their [[pharynx]] deep into the [[thorax]] (Muchala 2006). This extension lies between the [[sternum]] and the [[Vertebrate trachea|trachea]]. |
| − | The | + | The giant anteater is covered with stiff, [[straw]]-like hair, which grows up to 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) long on the tail. Young have soft hair until they are mature. The giant anteater's prevailing color is gray or brown, with a broad black band, bordered with white, starting on the chest, and passing obliquely over the shoulder, diminishing gradually in breadth as it approaches the loins, where it ends in a point. All have this diagonal black and white shoulder stripe. |
| − | + | Despite its name, ''Myrmecophaga tridactyla'', from the [[Greek language |Greek]] meaning "three-fingered ant eater," the anteater has five digits on each foot; however the middle three digits of the forefeet have greatly enlarged claws. These are extremely strong and are used to break open ant and termite mounds in order to feed, as well as serve as an effective defense from predators. The anteater walks on its knuckles in order to protect them, giving it a shuffling gait. The forefeet also have one other smaller claw, and the rear feet have five small claws. | |
| − | The giant anteater is | + | The giant anteater is one of only two taxa of [[mammals]] without any [[teeth]] even in a [[mature]] state (the [[Pangolin]]s comprising the other). An anteater instead crushes insects it consumes using hard growths found on the inside of its mouth, and its muscular stomach. Sand and small rocks have also been found in anteaters' stomachs, suggesting that these are ingested to aid digestion (possible [[gastrolith]]s). |
| − | + | Giant anteaters are sometimes mistaken for [[bear]]s because of their claws and bushy [[fur]]. | |
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| + | Giant anteaters are found in Guatemala and Panama in Central America and in South America down to northern Uruguay (east of the Andes) and northern Argentina (west of the Andes). They inhabit dry forest, rainforest, grasslands, and savanna (Grzimek et al. 2004). | ||
| − | + | ==Behavior, diet, and reproduction== | |
| + | The anteater is mainly terrestrial, but is capable of climbing and is a strong and capable swimmer. It may be [[nocturnal]] or [[diurnal]]. In the wild, the giant anteater is primarily nocturnal or active at night near human settlements and [[diurnal]] or active during the day elsewhere. | ||
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| + | The giant anteater is generally acknowledged to have a keen sense of smell, used to locate [[ants]], but is thought to have poor sight and hearing. | ||
The giant anteater does not sleep in any fixed place, instead curling up in abandoned burrows and hollows. It covers its body with its long, bushy tail to sleep. | The giant anteater does not sleep in any fixed place, instead curling up in abandoned burrows and hollows. It covers its body with its long, bushy tail to sleep. | ||
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It bears a single offspring after a gestation period of 190 days, which will stay near the mother until she becomes pregnant again. The baby spends much of the first part of its life riding on its mother's back, until it is nearly half her size. | It bears a single offspring after a gestation period of 190 days, which will stay near the mother until she becomes pregnant again. The baby spends much of the first part of its life riding on its mother's back, until it is nearly half her size. | ||
| − | + | ||
When threatened, it stands up on its hind legs, using its tail to aid balance, and may strike extremely rapidly with its claws or "hug" attackers much like a bear. An adult anteater is capable of fending off or even killing its main predators, big cats such as the [[jaguar]] and the [[cougar]]. | When threatened, it stands up on its hind legs, using its tail to aid balance, and may strike extremely rapidly with its claws or "hug" attackers much like a bear. An adult anteater is capable of fending off or even killing its main predators, big cats such as the [[jaguar]] and the [[cougar]]. | ||
Revision as of 04:19, 31 December 2008
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| Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 |
Giant anteater is the common name for the largest species of anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, characterized by a long, narrow, tapered snout without teeth, very long tongue, long and bushy tail, and five digits on each foot, including four with claws on the forefeet and five with claws on the hindfeet. The giant anteater is found in Central and South America. It is the only species in the Myrmecophaga genus.
It is a solitary animal, found in many habitats, including grasslands, deciduous forests and rainforests. It feeds mainly on ants and termites, sometimes up to 30,000 insects in a single day.
Overview and description
The giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is one of four extant species belonging to the suborder Vermilingua and technically known as anteaters. The other three are Cyclopes didactylus (pygmy or silky anteater), Tamandua tetradactyla (southern tamandua, collared anteater, or lesser anteater), and Tamandua mexicana (northern tamandua). All four species are truly toothless mammals of South and Central America that are highly specialized for feeding on ants and termites from their nest hills. They are characterized by a long tubular and tapered snout, very long worm–shaped tongue, and strong forelimbs with very sharp, long, and backwardly hooked claws.
The giant anteater is the largest member of the group of anteaters, measuring 1.74 to 2.8 meters (5.7-9.2 feet) in length, including the 64 to 90 centimeter (25-35 inch) tail. The weight ranges from 22 to 39 kilograms (48-88 pounds) (Grzimek et al. 2004).
The giant anteater has a long, thin head, small eyes, rounded ears, and a bushy and long (but not prehensile) tail. The worm-like tongue can extend more than 0.6 meters (2 feet) and has a width of only 12.5 millimeters (0.5 inch). The anteater can cover its tongue in a sticky saliva, allowing it to trap ants, and the tongue can be extended and withdrawn up to 150 times per minute. The giant anteater, pangolins, and tube-lipped nectar bat,while only distally related, all have tongues that are detached from their hyoid bone and extend past their pharynx deep into the thorax (Muchala 2006). This extension lies between the sternum and the trachea.
The giant anteater is covered with stiff, straw-like hair, which grows up to 40 centimeters (15.7 inches) long on the tail. Young have soft hair until they are mature. The giant anteater's prevailing color is gray or brown, with a broad black band, bordered with white, starting on the chest, and passing obliquely over the shoulder, diminishing gradually in breadth as it approaches the loins, where it ends in a point. All have this diagonal black and white shoulder stripe.
Despite its name, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, from the Greek meaning "three-fingered ant eater," the anteater has five digits on each foot; however the middle three digits of the forefeet have greatly enlarged claws. These are extremely strong and are used to break open ant and termite mounds in order to feed, as well as serve as an effective defense from predators. The anteater walks on its knuckles in order to protect them, giving it a shuffling gait. The forefeet also have one other smaller claw, and the rear feet have five small claws.
The giant anteater is one of only two taxa of mammals without any teeth even in a mature state (the Pangolins comprising the other). An anteater instead crushes insects it consumes using hard growths found on the inside of its mouth, and its muscular stomach. Sand and small rocks have also been found in anteaters' stomachs, suggesting that these are ingested to aid digestion (possible gastroliths).
Giant anteaters are sometimes mistaken for bears because of their claws and bushy fur.
Giant anteaters are found in Guatemala and Panama in Central America and in South America down to northern Uruguay (east of the Andes) and northern Argentina (west of the Andes). They inhabit dry forest, rainforest, grasslands, and savanna (Grzimek et al. 2004).
Behavior, diet, and reproduction
The anteater is mainly terrestrial, but is capable of climbing and is a strong and capable swimmer. It may be nocturnal or diurnal. In the wild, the giant anteater is primarily nocturnal or active at night near human settlements and diurnal or active during the day elsewhere.
The giant anteater is generally acknowledged to have a keen sense of smell, used to locate ants, but is thought to have poor sight and hearing.
The giant anteater does not sleep in any fixed place, instead curling up in abandoned burrows and hollows. It covers its body with its long, bushy tail to sleep.
It bears a single offspring after a gestation period of 190 days, which will stay near the mother until she becomes pregnant again. The baby spends much of the first part of its life riding on its mother's back, until it is nearly half her size.
When threatened, it stands up on its hind legs, using its tail to aid balance, and may strike extremely rapidly with its claws or "hug" attackers much like a bear. An adult anteater is capable of fending off or even killing its main predators, big cats such as the jaguar and the cougar.
The mating system of M. tridactyla is not known. Reproductive behavior is primarily observed in captivity. The male stands over the female, who lies on her side during copulation.
Gestation is approximately 190 days, after which females give birth to a single young that weighs about 2.8 lb(1.3 kg). Females give birth standing up and immediately the young anteater climbs onto her back. Young are born with a full coat of hair and adult-like markings. Breeding occurs year-round in captivity and the wild, though seasonal breeding times have been reported in portions of their range. Inter-birth intervals can be as low as nine months. Sexual maturity is reached between 2.5 and 4 years. The mammary glands are lateral to the 'armpits' on the chest.
- Breeding interval: Giant anteaters can breed as often as every 9 months, though it is often longer.
- Breeding season: Giant anteaters may breed year round, or seasonally depending on region.
- Number of offspring: 1 (average)
- Gestation period: 190 days (average)
- Time to weaning: 6 months (average)
- Time to independence: 24 months (average)
- Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 2.50 to 4 years
- Age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 2.50 to 4 years
Communication and perception
Most communication occurs between young and their mothers or during fighting. It consists of snorts, sniffs, and hisses, as well as roaring during fights. Sight and hearing are diminished. Smell is highly developed — 40 times that of humans.
Food habits
Giant anteaters eat ants, termites and soft-bodied grubs. Using the long, sharp claws on their forelimbs, they open insect colonies and tree trunks. They then use the tongue to collect the eggs, larvae, and adult insects. The salivary glands secrete sticky saliva during feeding that coats the tongue. They only stay at one ant colony for a short period of time to avoid soldier ants, but giant anteaters can consume a few thousand insects in minutes. The tongue is attached to the sternum and moves very quickly, flicking 150 times per minute. They sometimes eat fruit and eggs.
Threats
The jaguar (Panthera onca) and the cougar (Puma concolor) are known predators of giant anteaters. Anteaters use their immense front claws to defend themselves from predators, but their typical response to threat is to run away. Their size makes them invulnerable to all but the largest of predators, jaguars and cougars primarily. They are often killed by humans, either intentionally through hunting or unintentionally through collisions with cars.
In April 2007, an anteater at the Florencio Varela Zoo near Buenos Aires, Argentina attacked Melisa Casco, a zookeeper, mauling her abdomen and legs with its sharp front claws. The 19-year old zookeeper was admitted to the hospital in critical condition, and later succumbed to her injuries.[3]
Conservation status
Habitat destruction is the primary threat to giant anteaters. They are listed as Appendix II by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Appendix II is defined as a species not necessarily threatened to extinction but one that should be controlled in trade to avoid overuse. They are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). 'Vulnerable' is defined as an estimated population reduction of 20% in the next 10 years. It is estimated that there are only as few as 5,000 left in the wild, and only 90 live in zoos across the United States.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Louise H. Emmons and Francois Feer, 1997 - Neotropical Rainforest Mammals, A Field Guide.
External links
- The Online Anteater: information, images, fun facts, and other stuff about the giant anteater
- ARKive - images and movies of the giant anteater.
Gallery
At Phoenix zoo
Dictionary illustration
In San Francisco zoo
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Credits
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- ↑ A. Gardner, "Order *," pages 102 in D. E. Wilson and D. M. Reeder, eds. Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 3rd edition. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2005). ISBN 0801882214.
- ↑ Porini, G., Rylands, A.B., Samudio, R. & Members of the IUCN SSC Edentate Specialist Group (2008). Myrmecophaga tridactyla. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 28 November 2008.
- ↑ Argentine zookeeper dies after anteater attack (2007-04-12). Retrieved 2007-04-13.
- ↑ Nectar bat stows huge tongue in its rib cage. N. Muchhala, Nature (2006) 444, 701
