Myrmecophagidae - Anteaters

There are three species in this family. They are found in the grasslands and rainforests of Central and South America.

Anteaters have very long, tubular snouts and long, thin, sticky tongues! They have small ears; small eyes; small mouths; no teeth; and five long, strong, curving claws on their front feet. Their claws don't retract, so anteaters walk on their knuckles! Anteaters have long tails and in some species, the tail is prehensile.

Anteaters use their long, sticky tongues to gather up the ants, termites, and other insects. Anteaters are solitary. Females give birth to a single baby and carry it around on their backs! The giant anteater lives on the ground, and the northern tamandua and the southern tamandua spend time in trees and on the ground!

World Status Key
Least Concern Near Threatened Vulnerable Endangered Critically Endangered Extinct in Wild Extinct Not Enough Data
Status and range is taken from ICUN Redlist.

U.S. Status Key Threatened in US Endangered in US Introduced Status taken from US Fish and Wildlife. Click on U.S. status icon to go to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife species profile.

New Hampshire Status Key Threatened in NH Endangered in NH Breeds in NH (birds) Status taken from NH Fish and Game

Location Key
Africa Asia Australia/Oceania Europe North America South America NH Click for More Info Click for Image

New Hampshire Species		North/Central American Species
None		Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla Northern Tamandua - Tamandua mexicana Southern Tamandua - Tamandua tetradactyla

Additional Information

Key: Profile Photos Video Audio

Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla
The giant anteater is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Except during the mating season and when raising young, giant anteaters are usually solitary.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla
The giant anteater has no teeth.
Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Giant anteaters walk with a slow shuffle.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School

Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla
The giant anteater is the biggest species of anteater.
Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary School

Giant Anteater - Myrmecophaga tridactyla
The giant anteater has really bad eyesight.
Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Northern Tamandua - Tamandua mexicana
The northern tamandua is found in Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Northern Tamandua - Tamandua mexicana
The northern tamandua looks like it is wearing a black vest.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Tamandua - Tamandua tetradactyla
The southern tamandua is also known as the collared tamandua. It is found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Tamandua - Tamandua tetradactyla
The southern tamandua uses it's powerful forearms for self-defense.
Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School

Southern Tamandua - Tamandua tetradactyla
Tamanduas are most active at night.
Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School