giant anteater

giant anteater

The giant anteater (scientific name: giant anteater), also called iurumi, jurumim, anteater-açu, anteater-horse, Pope giant ants and bear-tingling giant,  is a xenartro mammal family of mirmecofagídeos, found in Central America and South America. It is the largest of four species of anteaters and sloths along with, is included in order Pilosa. It has predominantly terrestrial habit, unlike their close relatives, the anteater and tamanduaí which are arboreal. The animal is between 1.8 and 2.1 meters long and weighs up to 41 kg. It is easily recognized by its long snout and characteristic pattern of the coat. It has long claws on the toes of the front feet, which causes him to walk with a nodopedálica posture. The oral appliance is adapted to their diet specialized in ants and termites, captive but it can be powered with ground meat, eggs and food, for example. The long coat predisposes to be parasitized by ectoparasites such as ticks.

It is found in many types of environments, from grasslands to forests. Prefer foraging in open environments, but uses more forests and wetlands to rest and regulate body temperature. It is able to swim in large rivers. Their predators include big cats such as jaguars and pumas, and predators can prey on pups. Despite the individual territories often overlap with others, they are primarily solitary animals being found with others only in situations of courting females or agonistic encounters between males and females caring for puppies. Mainly feeds on ants and termites, using its claws to dig and tongue to collect insects.

The giant anteater is listed as "vulnerable" by the IUCN. It was extinct in some parts of their
geographical distribution, as in Uruguay, and runs great risk of extinction in Central America. The main threats to the survival of the species are hunting and habitat destruction, and is an animal likely to be fatally hit by fires and road kill. Despite the risk of extinction, it can be found in numerous conservation areas, where it is often abundant. His peculiar morphology caught the attention of many people, as in the Amazon basin, and is still portrayed by many cultures, is charismatic and terrifying way.