NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Anteater

Anteaters are the four mammal species of the suborder Vermilingua^[1] commonly known for eating ants and termites.^[2] The name is also colloquially applied to the aardvark, the numbat, the echidna, and the pangolin. Together with the sloths, they comprise the order Pilosa. Subclasses & Infraclasses Subclass â€ Allotheria* Subclass Prototheria Subclass Theria Infraclass â€ Trituberculata Infraclass Metatheria Infraclass Eutheria For the folk-rock band see The Mammals. ... For other uses, see Ant (disambiguation). ... Families Mastotermitidae Kalotermitidae Termopsidae Hodotermitidae Rhinotermitidae Serritermitidae Termitidae Termites, sometimes known as white ants, are a group of social insects usually classified at the taxonomic rank of order Isoptera. ... For other uses, see Aardvark (disambiguation). ... Binomial name Myrmecobius fasciatus Waterhouse, 1836 Subspecies Myrmecobius fasciatus fasciatus Myrmecobius fasciatus rufus The Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a small marsupial endemic to western Australia. ... For other senses of this word, see echidna (disambiguation). ... Manis redirects here. ... This article is about the South American mammal. ... Families Bradypodidae Megalonychidae Cyclopedidae Myrmecophagidae The order Pilosa is a group of placental mammals, extant today only in the Americas. ...

Species include the Giant Anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla, about 1.8 m (6 ft.) long including the tail; the tamandua or collared Anteater Tamandua tetradactyla, about 90 cm (3 ft.) long; and the Silky Anteater Cyclopes didactylus, about 35 cm (14 in.) long. Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 The Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest species of anteater. ... Species Tamandua tetradactyla Tamandua mexicana Tamandua is a genus of anteaters. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ...

Physiology

The largest extant representative of the group is the Giant Anteater, or ant-bear (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), an animal measuring up to 2.4 meter (8 feet) in length, excluding the tail, and up to 1.2 meter (4 foot) in height at the shoulder. It has a long, thin head and a large, bushy tail. Its prevailing color is gray, with a broad black band, bordered with white, starting on the chest, and passing obliquely over the shoulder, diminishing gradually in breadth as it approaches the loins, where it ends in a point. Giant Anteaters are sometimes mistaken for bears because of their claws and bushy fur. The Giant Anteater is also a very solitary animal. In Spanish, an anteater is referred to as an oso hormiguero, literally, "anteating bear." Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 The Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest species of anteater. ... This article is about the international language known as Spanish. ...

It is extensively distributed in South and Central America, frequenting low swampy savannas, along the banks of rivers, and the depths of the humid forests, but is nowhere abundant. South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Central America (disambiguation). ...

Its food consists mainly of termites, which it obtains by opening nests with its powerful sharp anterior (front) claws. As the insects swarm to the damaged part of their dwelling, it draws them into its mouth by means of its long, flexible, rapidly moving tongue covered with sticky saliva. Their tongue can be flicked up to 150-160 times or more per minute. A full-grown giant Anteater eats upwards of 30,000 ants and termites a day.They also have small spikes on their tongue that help keep the ants and other insects on the tongue while they get swept into the anteaters mouth.

The Giant Anteater and regular anteaters have no teeth. Their physical digestion is aided by the pebbles and debris that they consume when they are eating their protein-packed meal. Once the bugs are trapped by the sticky tongue, the bugs are crushed by the tongue, against the anteater's hard palate.

The giant Anteater lives above ground, not burrowing underground like armadillos or aardvarks. The anteater finds a place to sleep, curls up, and covers itself with their bushy tail. Since the anteater is a very solitary animal, it can be easily woken. When attacked, it can defend itself with its sabre-like anterior claws. For other uses, see Armadillo (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Aardvark (disambiguation). ...

The female produces one offspring per birth. During much of its first year of life, a young Anteater will ride on its mother's back. It is generally acknowledged that giant Anteaters have a poor sense of sight but a keen sense of smell. In fact, their sense of smell is regarded to be some 40 times stronger than that of humans. The name of the species, tridactyla, comes from "tri" and "dactylos", which is Greek for "three fingers". However, giant Anteaters actually have five toes on each paw (the fifth is vestigial). The name probably came about because only three of the front toes have prominent claws and can be easily seen. Giant Anteaters rarely make sounds. When they do it is mostly when they are young; the sound is a high-pitched, shrilly grunt noise. A baby that has fallen off his mother's back will grunt to its mother either to remind her that it has fallen off or to simply instruct her where it is or to get her attention.

The two Anteaters of the genus Tamandua, the Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) and the Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana), are much smaller than the Giant Anteater, and differ essentially from it in their habits, being mainly arboreal. They inhabit the dense primeval forests of South and Central America. The usual colour is yellowish-white, with a broad black lateral band, covering nearly the whole of the side of the body. For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... Species Tamandua tetradactyla Tamandua mexicana Tamandua is a genus of anteaters. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Tamandua or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of anteater from South America. ...

The silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a native of the hottest parts of South and Central America, and about the size of a cat, of a general yellowish color, and exclusively arboreal in its habits. Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Binomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis lybica invalid junior synonym The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ...

Both the tamanduas and the silky Anteater possess partially prehensile tails. A prehensile tail is the tail of an animal that has adapted to be able to grasp and/or hold objects. ...

Classification

Order Pilosa Families Bradypodidae Megalonychidae Cyclopedidae Myrmecophagidae The order Pilosa is a group of placental mammals, extant today only in the Americas. ...

Families Megalonychidae Bradypodidae Sloths are medium-sized South American mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae, part of the order Pilosa. ... This article is about the South American mammal. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Cyclopes may refer to: Silky Anteater plural of Cyclops is a one-eyed monster in Greek mythology. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... [[{{{diversity_link}}}|Diversity]] {{{diversity}}} Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus Trinomial name {{{trinomial}}} Type Species {{{type_species}}} {{{subdivision_ranks}}} [[Image:{{{range_map}}}|{{{range_map_width}}}|]] Synonyms {{{synonyms}}} Silky Anteater or Pigmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Genera Myrmecophaga Tamandua Cyclopes Anteaters are mammals of the order Xenarthra and the family Myrmecophagidae, commonly known for eating ants and termites. ... Binomial name Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758 The Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest species of Anteater. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 The Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest species of anteater. ... Genera Myrmecophaga Tamandua Cyclopes Anteaters are mammals of the order Xenarthra and the family Myrmecophagidae, commonly known for eating ants and termites. ... Species Tamandua tetradactyla Tamandua mexicana Tamandua is a genus of anteaters. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Tamandua or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of anteater from South America. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ...

Gallery

References

Families Bradypodidae Megalonychidae Cyclopedidae Myrmecophagidae The order Pilosa is a group of placental mammals, extant today only in the Americas. ... Phyla Subkingdom Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subkingdom Agnotozoa Placozoa Orthonectida Rhombozoa Subkingdom Metazoa Radiata Cnidaria Ctenophora - Comb jellies Bilateria Protostomia Acoelomorpha Platyhelminthes - Flatworms Nemertina - Ribbon worms Gastrotricha Gnathostomulida - Jawed worms Micrognathozoa Rotifera - Rotifers Acanthocephala Priapulida Kinorhyncha Loricifera Entoprocta Nematoda - Roundworms Nematomorpha - Horsehair worms Cycliophora Mollusca - Mollusks Sipuncula - Peanut worms Annelida - Segmented... Typical Classes Subphylum Urochordata - Tunicates Ascidiacea Thaliacea Larvacea Subphylum Cephalochordata - Lancelets Subphylum Myxini - Hagfishes Subphylum Vertebrata - Vertebrates Petromyzontida - Lampreys Placodermi (extinct) Chondrichthyes - Cartilaginous fishes Acanthodii (extinct) Actinopterygii - Ray-finned fishes Actinistia - Coelacanths Dipnoi - Lungfishes Amphibia - Amphibians Reptilia - Reptiles Aves - Birds Mammalia - Mammals Chordates (phylum Chordata) include the vertebrates, together with... Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary... Orders[1] Bobolestes Eomaia Maelestes Montanalestes Murtoilestes Prokennalestes Placentalia Superorder Xenarthra: Cingulata (Armadillos) Pilosa (Sloths, True Anteaters) Superorder Afrotheria: Afrosoricida (Tenrecs, etc. ... Orders and suborders Order Pilosa Suborder Vermilingua Suborder Folivora Order Cingulata See text for more details The superorder Xenarthra is a group of placental mammals (infraclass Eutheria), extant today only in the Americas. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Genera Myrmecophaga Tamandua Cyclopes Anteaters are mammals of the order Xenarthra and the family Myrmecophagidae, commonly known for eating ants and termites. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 The Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest species of anteater. ... Binomial name Linnaeus, 1758 The Giant Anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, is the largest species of anteater. ... Species Tamandua tetradactyla Tamandua mexicana Tamandua is a genus of anteaters. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Tamandua or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of anteater from South America. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ... This article is about the South American mammal. ... Green: , Blue: , Red: Species Bradypus pygmaeus Bradypus torquatus Bradypus tridactylus Bradypus variegatus The three-toed sloths are the only members of the Bradypus genus and the Bradypodidae family. ... Green: , Blue: , Red: Species Bradypus pygmaeus Bradypus torquatus Bradypus tridactylus Bradypus variegatus The three-toed sloths are the only members of the Bradypus genus and the Bradypodidae family. ... Binomial name Bradypus pygmaeus Anderson & Handley 2001 The Pygmy Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) is a newly discovered three-toed sloth. ... Binomial name Illiger, 1811 Range map in red The Maned Three-toed Sloth, also known as an Ai, Bradypus torquatus, is a species of three-toed South American sloth. ... Binomial name Bradypus tridactylus Linnaeus, 1758 The Pale-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus) is a three-toed sloth that inhabits tropical rainforests from southern Central America to north-eastern Argentina. ... Binomial name Bradypus variegatus Schinz, 1825 Range map in green The Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, Bradypus variegatus, is a species of sloth from Central and South America. ... Species Choloepus didactylus Choloepus hoffmanni The two extant species of two-toed sloths are Linnaeuss and Hoffmanns Two-toed Sloth. ... Species Choloepus didactylus Choloepus hoffmanni The two extant species of two-toed sloths are Linnaeuss and Hoffmanns Two-toed Sloth. ... Binomial name Choloepus didactylus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Bradypus didactylus Linnaeus, 1758 Linnaeuss Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus), also known as the Southern Two-toed Sloth, is a species of sloth from South America, found in Venezuela, the Guianas and Brazil north of the Amazon River. ... Binomial name Choloepus hoffmanni Peters, 1858 The Hoffmanns Two-toed Sloth, Choloepus hoffmanni, is a species of sloth from Central and South America. ...

Contents

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Classification

Gallery

References

Physiology