Diet
Anteater diets consist mostly of
insects
The anteater is a carnivore,
eating mostly insects. However, in
desperation, they are known to eat
fruit. They have a long, sticky tongue
that grabs insects like ants and termites and front claws to tear holes in
nests. Insects are crushed between
the tongue and roof of the mouth,
then swallowed. They have also been
known to put the insects in a
blender with ice cream and drink ant
shakes through a straw.
Sources:
Type: Internet
Title: “What Not to Wear: Anteater Edition”
Author: Leigh Sharkey
Type: Book
Title: Anteater Care for Dummies
Author: Julie Bullard
The Giant Anteater
Type: Reference Set
Title: Mammals, Volume 1
Author: Marshall Cavendish
Pictures Sources:
Microsoft Office clip art
www.anteaterpictures.com
Anteaters are known for their brilliant
coat and its beautiful array of browns and
grays
Interesting Facts
There are 4 species of anteaters: giant anteater, silky anteater,
and 2 tamanduas. The anteater is at
risk for extinction because its habitat
is destroyed by selfish humans who
are polluting and cutting down rainforests. Anteaters are also allergic to
certain species of ants, causing them
to sneeze or break out in a rash.
Animal Brochure
By Ms. Sharkey
Anteater eating a fire ant
Fort Johnson
Middle School
Block All
The Giant Anteater
Life Cycle
Anteaters are easily identifiable by their ElephantLike Snout.
Physical Characteristics
The giant anteater gets its name
because it is the largest of the four species
of anteaters. This vertebrate grows to
reach the size of a German Shepherd. Its
length is three to four feet from nose to
tail, with an additional two to three feet
with its tail. Weighing only about 3
pounds at birth, the anteater will eventually grow to anywhere between forty and
eight-six pounds. Grayish brown fur covers the anteater’s entire body, with a
black and white fur band looping around
its shoulders. Housed within this body
are the anteater’s lungs which enable the
animal to breathe air. The most distinguishing feature of the giant anteater is
probably its long snout.
After being pregnant for four
to six months female anteaters give
birth to baby elephants. The baby
climbs onto its mother’s back for a
piggyback ride. The baby stays with its
mom for about two years, or until it
moves out of the house and gets its
own job. During this two year time
period the momma teaches her baby to
hunt and perform circus tricks. Between two and a half and four years
old an anteater can have its own babies. Because wild anteaters are so
elusive, scientists aren’t sure how long
they live. Anteaters in captivity have
been known to live up to 26 years.
Anteaters give birth to live
young called kittens. Unlike cats, anteaters don’t give birth to a whole litter,
just one or maybe two babies.
Not pictured here: anteaters
doing circus tricks.
Habitat & Travel
Anteaters generally live in the basement of the SC
aquarium. Those in the wild hide out in
trees with the Northwest tree octopus.
Anteaters migrate in order to hibernate in the desert of southern California so they can be eaten by larger predators while they slumber. (The predators,
not the anteaters.)
The anteater moves at a leisurely
pace until it demonstrates its unusual
circus abilities by balancing plates, balls,
and small children on its snout. In this it
proves to be unusually agile, in sharp contrast to its normally slow-moving, lumbering gait.
Predators, Prey & Protection
It is a common misconception
that anteaters are vicious killers of ants.
Although their prey is the ant, they are in
fact quite docile, so much so that they are
hunted by bunny rabbits and puppies.
The anteater protects itself from
predators by distracting
them with impressive circus tricks.
Rare instances
have been recorded of
wild anteaters emitting a
scent of Axe body spray.
No anteaters were injured
during the photo shoot.