Anteaters | Vermilingua

Anteaters or Vermilingua have no teeth. Instead, have long tongues for swallowing ants. The body is mostly covered in grayish-brown fur, black stripes from the chest region to the back, white legs, and a bushy tail. They have an elongated snout, with a tube-shaped mouth. Their large, curved foreclaw is either used for defense or cracking termite mounds. Anteaters are endemic to Central and South America in savannas, open grasslands, and tropical and dry forests. They have less developed eyesight but a good sense of smell. Besides, they are solitary, with females laying a single offspring each year.

Why do anteaters have long noses?

Anteaters feed on ants and termites. Its long nose is useful in accessing its favorite food in termite mounds or anthills. The tongue too is long, thin, and sticky, making it efficient in capturing termites. Unfortunately, the nose and tongue guarantee that the anteaters will grow no teeth.

What are the anteater's predators?

The anteater is native to the wetlands and tropical forests of Central and South America. Its primary predators in these areas are jaguars and pumas. However, the anteater is one animal that rarely goes down without a fight, as during predation, it uses its sturdy forearm and sharp claws to defend itself or gallop.

Are anteaters aggressive?

Only when cornered will an anteater be aggressive and fight fiercely for its life by standing on its hind legs and using its strong four inches long front claws to fight. Otherwise, they are very loving and expressive and can even be kept as pets. However, they would still prefer a solitary lifestyle.

Anteaters Guides
Browse through our curated Anteaters Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Anteaters. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.
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21.7”-25.6” | 55-65 cm
11.8”-13.8” | 30-35 cm
39.4”-47.2” | 100-120 cm (Body)
60-110 lb | 27-50 kg
14-26 years
Giant Anteater
65.000
35.000
120.000
50.000
26.00
23400
GUIDE
3D
Giant Anteater
9”-15” | 23-38 cm
7.5”-11.8” | 19-30 cm
18.5”-30.3” | 47-77 cm (Body)
6.6-12 lb | 3-5.4 kg
7-10 years
Northern Tamandua
38.000
30.000
77.000
5.400
10.00
2500
GUIDE
3D
Northern Tamandua
9”-11.4” | 23-29 cm
7.1”-8.7” | 18-22 cm
13.8”-17.7” | 35-45 cm (Body)
.4-.9 lb | .18-.4 kg
2-3 years
Silky Anteater
29.000
22.000
45.000
0.400
3.00
6900
GUIDE
3D
Silky Anteater
10.6”-17.3” | 27-44 cm
8.3”-13.8” | 21-35 cm
20.9”-35” | 53-89 cm (Body)
8-19 lb | 3.6-8.6 kg
7-9 years
Southern Tamandua
44.000
35.000
89.000
8.600
9.00
3500
GUIDE
3D
Southern Tamandua
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Comparison drawing of the Giant Anteater compared to other anteaters

The most common feature of the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is the long distinctive snout covering a long tongue. It is the largest in the family of anteaters and is mostly found in the forests, grasslands, and swamps of Central and South America. It is insectivorous and terrestrial. The giant anteater has a distinctive colored pelage, bushy tail, elongated snout, long fore claws, and small eyes and ears. The fur on the body is thick and coarse and brown with occasional strips of black and white on the shoulder. It is a solitary animal, except for mating or mothers with young ones. Besides, it is diurnal.

The Giant Anteater has a body length in the range of 39.4”-47.2” (100-120 cm) and total weight of 60-110 lb (27-50 kg). The Giant Anteater has an estimated standing height between 21.7”-25.6” (55-65 cm), body width of 11.8”-13.8” (30-35 cm), and tail length of 25.6”-35.4” (65-90 cm). The typical lifespan of the Giant Anteater is between 14-26 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Giant Anteater
The most common feature of the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is the long distinctive snout covering a long tongue. It is the largest in the family of anteaters and is mostly found in the forests, grasslands, and swamps of Central and South America. It is insectivorous and terrestrial.

The Giant Anteater has a body length in the range of 39.4”-47.2” (100-120 cm) and total weight of 60-110 lb (27-50 kg). The Giant Anteater has an estimated standing height between 21.7”-25.6” (55-65 cm), body width of 11.8”-13.8” (30-35 cm), and tail length of 25.6”-35.4” (65-90 cm). The typical lifespan of the Giant Anteater is between 14-26 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Giant Anteater
Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla)
Height:
21.7”-25.6” | 55-65 cm
Width:
11.8”-13.8” | 30-35 cm
Length:
39.4”-47.2” | 100-120 cm (Body)
Depth:
Weight:
60-110 lb | 27-50 kg
Area:

Tail Length: 25.6”-35.4” | 65-90 cm

Scientific Name
Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Lifespan
14-26 years

Drawings include:

Giant Anteater side view, front

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Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla)
Comparison drawing of the Southern Tamandua compared to other anteaters

The Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) is a solitary anteater found in South America and also Trinidad in distributed forests and even arid savanna. It is also called the lesser anteater or collared anteater. It is identified by its prehensile tail that is hairless at the end, a snout that is long and decurved, and very strong claws for defense and breaking termite molds. Many have the same body color as the northern tamandua with a black-vested pattern or incomplete vest. This solitary animal is nocturnal and communicates by hissing or producing a potent odor.

The Southern Tamandua has a body length in the range of 20.9”-35” (53-89 cm) and total weight of 8-19 lb (3.6-8.6 kg). The Southern Tamandua has an estimated standing height between 10.6”-17.3” (27-44 cm), body width of 8.3”-13.8” (21-35 cm), and tail length of 15.75”-23.2” (40-59 cm). The typical lifespan of the Southern Tamandua is between 7-9 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Southern Tamandua
The Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) is a solitary anteater found in South America and also Trinidad in distributed forests and even arid savanna. It is also called the lesser anteater or collared anteater. It is identified by its prehensile tail that is hairless at the end.

The Southern Tamandua has a body length in the range of 20.9”-35” (53-89 cm) and total weight of 8-19 lb (3.6-8.6 kg). The Southern Tamandua has an estimated standing height between 10.6”-17.3” (27-44 cm), body width of 8.3”-13.8” (21-35 cm), and tail length of 15.75”-23.2” (40-59 cm). The typical lifespan of the Southern Tamandua is between 7-9 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Southern Tamandua
Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla)
Height:
10.6”-17.3” | 27-44 cm
Width:
8.3”-13.8” | 21-35 cm
Length:
20.9”-35” | 53-89 cm (Body)
Depth:
Weight:
8-19 lb | 3.6-8.6 kg
Area:

Tail Length: 15.75”-23.2” | 40-59 cm

Scientific Name
Tamandua tetradactyla
Lifespan
7-9 years

Drawings include:

Southern Tamandua side view, front

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Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Silky Anteater to other species of anteaters

The Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) has unique features. Its hind feet are modified for climbing and is mostly arboreal and nocturnal. It inhabits the forests of Central and South America and is considered the smallest anteater. For this reason, it is sometimes called pygmy anteater. It feeds on arboreal insects and termites and is also an opportunistic feeder. The underparts and limbs can be pale, with dark brown streaks and the sole of the feet red. The eyes are black and the face is short, and it has partial prehensile tails.

The Silky Anteater has a body length in the range of 13.8”-17.7” (35-45 cm) and total weight of .4-.9 lb (.18-.4 kg). The Silky Anteater has an estimated standing height between 9”-11.4” (23-29 cm), body width of 7.1”-8.7” (18-22 cm), and tail length of 6.7”-9.4” (17-24 cm). The typical lifespan of the Silky Anteater is between 2-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Silky Anteater in various poses with dimensions
The Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) has unique features. Its hind feet are modified for climbing and is mostly arboreal and nocturnal. It inhabits the forests of Central and South America and is considered the smallest anteater. For this reason, it is sometimes called pygmy anteater.

The Silky Anteater has a body length in the range of 13.8”-17.7” (35-45 cm) and total weight of .4-.9 lb (.18-.4 kg). The Silky Anteater has an estimated standing height between 9”-11.4” (23-29 cm), body width of 7.1”-8.7” (18-22 cm), and tail length of 6.7”-9.4” (17-24 cm). The typical lifespan of the Silky Anteater is between 2-3 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Silky Anteater in various poses with dimensions
Silky Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus)
Height:
9”-11.4” | 23-29 cm
Width:
7.1”-8.7” | 18-22 cm
Length:
13.8”-17.7” | 35-45 cm (Body)
Depth:
Weight:
.4-.9 lb | .18-.4 kg
Area:

Tail Length: 6.7”-9.4” | 17-24 cm

Scientific Name
Cyclopes didactylus
Lifespan
2-3 years

Drawings include:

Silky Anteater side view, front

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Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana)
Scale illustration of an average Northern Tamandua compared to other anteater species

The most obvious place to find the Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) is in the arid savanna, plantations, and rainforests of Central America. This anteater is easy to identify with its prehensile tail, long snout, and small eyes and ears. The body is covered in yellow fur with a distinct black patch over the back and shoulders. The forelimbs have four toes and the hind limbs have five toes. Its fur is short, bristly, dense, and coarse. Females give birth to live young that they care for. These animals are solitary, arboreal except during feeding, and are active during the day and night. It communicates by hissing or producing a potent odor.

The Northern Tamandua has a body length in the range of 18.5”-30.3” (47-77 cm) and total weight of 6.6-12 lb (3-5.4 kg). The Northern Tamandua has an estimated standing height between 9”-15” (23-38 cm), body width of 7.5”-11.8” (19-30 cm), and tail length of 15.75”-26.8” (40-68 cm). The typical lifespan of the Northern Tamandua is between 7-10 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Northern Tamandua
The most obvious place to find the Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana) is in the arid savanna, plantations, and rainforests of Central America. This anteater is easy to identify with its prehensile tail, long snout, and small eyes and ears. The body is covered in yellow fur with a black patch.

The Northern Tamandua has a body length in the range of 18.5”-30.3” (47-77 cm) and total weight of 6.6-12 lb (3-5.4 kg). The Northern Tamandua has an estimated standing height between 9”-15” (23-38 cm), body width of 7.5”-11.8” (19-30 cm), and tail length of 15.75”-26.8” (40-68 cm). The typical lifespan of the Northern Tamandua is between 7-10 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Northern Tamandua
Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana)
Height:
9”-15” | 23-38 cm
Width:
7.5”-11.8” | 19-30 cm
Length:
18.5”-30.3” | 47-77 cm (Body)
Depth:
Weight:
6.6-12 lb | 3-5.4 kg
Area:

Tail Length: 15.75”-26.8” | 40-68 cm

Scientific Name
Tamandua mexicana
Lifespan
7-10 years

Drawings include:

Northern Tamandua side view, front

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