Anteater

The giant anteater is the largest member of the anteater family, although several smaller species also exist. It lives in Central and South America, where it moves through grasslands, forests and wetlands in search of food. Despite its name, it does not eat only ants. Termites are also an important part of its diet, and a single animal may consume tens of thousands of insects in one day.

Instead of tearing open nests with its mouth, it uses powerful curved claws to break them apart before extending its long, narrow snout. A sticky tongue, which can reach about 60 centimeters in length, darts in and out several times each second, trapping insects that are swallowed without chewing because the animal has no teeth.

A giant anteater usually feeds for less than a minute at each nest before moving on, allowing insect colonies time to recover. This behavior helps preserve its food sources over the long term. Its thick tail can cover the body like a blanket while it rests, and its coarse fur offers protection from insect bites and thorny vegetation.

Although its eyesight is relatively poor, it has an excellent sense of smell that is far more important for finding prey. When threatened, it may stand upright and defend itself with its strong forelegs and sharp claws. Habitat loss, wildfires, road accidents and illegal hunting have reduced populations in several regions, making conservation efforts increasingly important.