Hobbies And Interests
Description
Giant anteaters range from five to seven feet long and are the largest of the four anteater species. They have coarse, gray or brown fur on their heads and necks. At mid-torso, a wide, black-striped band with white encircles the anteater's body. The tail, which alone can be up to three feet long, is bushy and broad. The giant anteater weighs between 40 and 100 pounds.
Habitat
Giant anteaters range through the rainforests and grasslands of Central and South America. They are found from northern Argentina and Uruguay to southern Belize. The swamps, wet and dry grasslands and wooded areas of this range is where the giant anteater wanders in search of food.
Behavior
The giant anteater is a solitary animal, except when mating or a caring for offspring. Active day and night, the large creature lies down in the open, or under shelter, to rest when it wants to. Generally amiable, a giant anteater that feels threatened or under attack can be dangerous. They have no teeth, but their long front claws can do much damage.
Diet
Termites, ants and sometimes grubs are delectable meals for the giant anteater. It rips open tall termite mounds or anthills with its powerful claws and sticks its two-feet long tongue in to lap up the insects and their eggs. The giant anteater only takes some prey from each nest, but as it travels across its area from nest to nest, it can consume 30,000 ants in a day. They do not climb trees, but will also eat soft, ripe fruit that has fallen to the ground.
Reproduction Cycle
After mating, the female giant anteater gestates for six months, then produces one offspring. This offspring must then climb up on its mother's back, where it will ride for the next year or so. Although the baby giant anteater is usually weaned after a few months, it will stay with its mother for up to two years. When she becomes pregnant again, the older offspring moves on to make room for the new.