1. Anteaters
Anteaters are the four mammal species of the suborder Vermilingua
commonly known for eating ants and termites.
2. Food habits
Giant anteaters eat ants, termites and soft-bodied grubs. Using
the long, sharp claws on their forelimbs, they open insect
colonies and tree trunks. They then use the tongue to collect the
eggs, larvae, and adult insects. The salivary glands secrete
sticky saliva during feeding that coats the tongue. They only
stay at one ant colony for a short period of time to avoid
soldier ants, but giant anteaters can consume a few thousand
insects in minutes. The tongue is attached to the sternum and
moves very quickly, flicking 150 times per minute. They
sometimes eat fruit and eggs.
3. Threats
The jaguar and the cougar are known predators
of giant anteaters. Anteaters use their
immense front claws to defend themselves
from predators, but their typical response to
threat is to run away. Their size makes them
invulnerable to all but the largest of predators,
jaguars and cougars primarily. They are often
killed by humans, either intentionally through
hunting or unintentionally through collisions
with cars.
7. Answers
It is a solitary animal, found in many habitats,
including grasslands, deciduous forests and rainforest.
It feeds mainly on ants and termites, sometimes up to
30,000 insects in a single day.
