»  Anteater flicks its tongue up to 150 times per minute. It is one of four living species of anteaters, the only extant member of the genus Myrmecophaga, and is classified with sloths in the order Pilosa. [22] The giant anteater cannot produce stomach acid of its own, but uses the formic acid of its prey for digestion. When retracted, the tongue is held in the oropharynx by the secondary palate, preventing it from blocking respiration. When harried, it is capable of a clumsy gallop. The giant anteater got its binomial name from Carl Linnaeus in 1758. [37] Males are possibly territorial. But, until that happens, they’ve been seen riding on the mother’s back. The mother carries its dependent pup on its back. Anteaters were confined to South America, which was formerly an island continent, during most of the Cenozoic Era. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [8], The fossil record for anteaters is generally sparse. [5][20] The bold pattern was thought to be disruptive camouflage, but a 2009 study suggests it is warning coloration. Their super-sticky saliva means they can't clean their bodies by licking themselves.". They are long-tailed animals with elongated skulls and tubular muzzles. The digestive process is assisted by small amounts of ingested sand and soil. With its distinctive appearance and habits, the anteater has been featured in pre-Columbian myths and folktales, as well as modern popular culture. A giant anteater's tongue is 2 feet long and can flick in and out of its mouth 150 times per minute. The large foreclaws prevent mothers from grasping their newborns and they therefore have to carry the offspring until they are self-sufficient. Among snakes the nonpoisonous boa constrictor and anaconda are notable for their size, the latter reaching lengths up to 30 feet (9 metres).…, Sloths and anteaters are the living members of the order Pilosa, whose name refers to the animals’ hairiness. This interesting mammal is closely related to our lazy friend, the sloth. [34] The animal is particularly vulnerable to fires due to its slow movement and flammable coat. Silky anteaters seldom exceed 300 grams (11 ounces). We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. All have evolved powerful digging forearms, long tongues, and toothless, tube-like snouts to subsist by raiding termite mounds. [6], Anteaters are mostly solitary mammals prepared to defend their 1.0- to 1.5-mi2 (2.6- to 3.9-km2) territories. It is typically 60 cm (24 in)[5] long and is triangular posteriorly, rounded anteriorly, and ends in a small, rounded tip. Any of several Central and South American mammals of the suborder Vermilingua that lack teeth and feed on ants and termites, especially the giant anteater. [6], Adult males are slightly larger and more muscular than females, and have wider heads and necks. In a Yarabara myth, the evil ogre Ucara is transformed into one by the sun. There are two clawed toes on each forefoot. Well, because our friend is smaller than its close relative, the giant anteater. [19] Gestation lasts around 190 days[37] and ends with the birth of a single pup,[22] which typically weighs around 1.4 kg (3.1 lb). Anteater, (suborder Vermilingua), any of four species of toothless, insect-eating mammals found in tropical savannas and forests from southern Mexico to Paraguay and northern Argentina. This is accomplished by its masticatory muscles,[26] which are relatively underdeveloped. [2] In 1994, some 340 giant anteaters died due to wildfires at Emas National Park in Brazil. The giant anteater is the biggest of its family, 182 to 217 cm (5.97 to 7.12 ft) in length, with weights of 33 to 50 kg (73 to 110 lb) for males and 27 to 47 kg (60 to 104 lb) for females. Never the less, our toothless friend uses its incredible tongue instead! [2], The giant anteater may use multiple habitats. Extant species are the giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla, about 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in) long including the tail; the silky anteater Cyclopes didactylus, about 35 cm (14 in) long; the southern tamandua or collared anteater Tamandua tetradactyla, about 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) long; and the northern tamandua Tamandua mexicana of similar dimensions. Also known as the two-toed, pygmy, or dwarf anteater, the silky anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is the smallest and least-known member of the family. One anteater was recorded sleeping with its tail stretched out on a sunny morning with an ambient temperature of 17 °C (63 °F); possibly it was positioned this way to allow its body to absorb the sun's rays for warmth. [41], Giant anteaters' home ranges vary in size depending on the location. [37] While mating, the female lies on her side as the male crouches over her. [18][27][30] The hyoid apparatus is large, V-shaped and flexible and supports the tongue as it goes in and out of the mouth. The giant anteater is found in multiple habitats, including grassland and rainforest. During feeding, the animal relies on the orientation of its head for aim. Males live in territories of 5–10 hectares (12–25 acres) that overlap with those of several females.

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