Anteaters are widely recognized for their specialized diet of ants, a perception embedded in their name. While they consume large quantities of ants, their diet is more diverse than commonly believed. These mammals, found across Central and South America, are insectivores with a broader palate that includes various other invertebrates and occasionally plant matter.
Termites: A Primary Food Source
Termites represent a significant portion of an anteater’s diet, often proving a more substantial food source than ants in certain habitats. Termites offer a rich supply of protein and other nutrients, making them a valuable food item. Anteaters locate termite mounds primarily through their highly developed sense of smell, which is about 40 times more sensitive than a human’s.
Once a nest is found, the anteater uses its powerful foreclaws to tear open the hard outer layers of the mound. They typically do not destroy the entire nest, instead feeding for short periods, often less than a minute, before moving on. This strategy allows the colony to recover, ensuring a continuous food supply. A single anteater can visit up to 200 nests in a day, consuming tens of thousands of insects.
Beyond Termites: Other Foods
Beyond ants and termites, anteaters opportunistically consume other invertebrates, supplementing their primary diet. This includes insect larvae, such as beetle grubs, found in decaying wood or leaf litter. Some anteater species, like the silky anteater, have been observed eating small coccinellid beetles or wasp pupae.
These additional food sources provide supplementary nutrients. For instance, the silky anteater, primarily an arboreal ant eater, may also consume termites and other insects found in trees. While less common, some species occasionally eat soft fruits or bird eggs, particularly when other prey is scarce.
Unique Feeding Adaptations
Anteaters possess several specialized physical characteristics that enable their foraging behaviors and insectivorous diet. Their powerful, sharp claws are used for tearing into the tough structures of ant and termite nests or breaking open decaying logs. These claws are so strong that anteaters walk on their knuckles to protect them from dulling.
Their most distinctive adaptation is their long, narrow tongue, which can extend up to two feet in some species. This tongue is covered in barbs and a thick, sticky saliva, allowing them to capture thousands of insects quickly. The tongue can flick in and out rapidly, up to 150 times per minute, efficiently collecting prey from deep within nests. Their keen sense of smell guides them to hidden insect colonies, compensating for their poor eyesight.