The anteater is a mammal distinguished by specialized physical traits adapted for a diet primarily consisting of ants and termites. Its appearance, from its elongated snout to its powerful claws, reflects a highly evolved design for its lifestyle. This creature showcases how an animal’s form is intricately tied to its ecological role.
Overall Body and Fur
Anteaters vary in size by species, from the giant anteater to the smaller silky anteater. The giant anteater measures 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) in total length, including its tail, and weighs 60 to 140 pounds (27 to 64 kilograms). The silky anteater is considerably smaller, typically 12 to 21 inches (32 to 52 centimeters) long and weighing 6 to 13 ounces (175 to 357 grams).
The giant anteater’s body is robust or barrel-shaped, covered in thick, coarse fur that can be grayish-brown or black. This dense fur lacks an undercoat but provides warmth and protection. It features a distinctive pattern: a wide, black stripe bordered with white extends from its shoulders down to its chest and along its mid-body, which some suggest acts as disruptive camouflage or warning coloration. Its front legs are white with black bands around the wrists, while its hind legs are dark.
Head, Snout, and Tongue
The anteater’s head is elongated and narrow, transitioning into a tubular snout. This specialized snout allows the animal to reach deep into insect nests. The giant anteater’s head can be about 12 inches (30 centimeters) long, with its cylindrical snout making up a significant portion.
The anteater possesses small eyes and ears, often concealed by its fur. Despite poor eyesight, anteaters compensate with a highly developed sense of smell, about 40 times more powerful than a human’s. This keen sense helps them locate prey and navigate their environment.
The anteater’s tongue is long, thin, and worm-like. In giant anteaters, it can extend up to 24 inches (60 centimeters), originating from its breastbone. This tongue is coated with sticky saliva, produced by enlarged salivary glands. The tongue also features tiny, backward-curving projections or hooks, called filiform papillae. Anteaters can flick their tongues in and out rapidly, up to 150-160 times per minute, efficiently collecting thousands of ants and termites daily.
Limbs, Claws, and Tail
Anteaters have powerful, muscular forelimbs and hindlimbs. Their forefeet feature four prominent, sickle-shaped claws, with the two central ones significantly enlarged and sharp. These claws, up to 4 inches (10 centimeters) long, are used to tear open tough insect mounds and for self-defense.
To protect their sharp claws from wearing down, anteaters walk in a shuffling gait, curling claws inward and walking on their knuckles or the sides of their hands. The hind feet have five shorter claws and are used plantigrade, meaning they walk flat-footed. This walking style preserves the claws.
The anteater’s tail is long and bushy, especially in the giant anteater, where it can be nearly as long as its body. The fur on the tail is coarse and long, providing insulation and camouflage. The tail serves multiple purposes: it acts as a counterbalance when the animal stands on its hind legs, provides stability during walking, and can be used as a blanket to conserve body heat or as a sunshade when resting or sleeping.