Endangered South American Species: Giant anteater

Giant anteaters are among the anteaters that live in South America. It is an anteater belonging to the genus Giant anteater of the sloth anteater family, and inhabits widely from Central America to South America such as Panama, Colombia, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. Giant anteaters are the largest of all anteaters. Giant anteaters are gradually declining due to recent forest development and destruction. Giant anteaters are designated as an endangered species.

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Habitat

Giant anteaters live from Central America to South America.

Characteristic

Giant anteaters are 100-120 cm long and weigh 18-40 kg. It is large in the anteater, and its whole body is rough and covered with long hair. It has a long tail and is covered with long, bushy hair. There are 5 claws on the hind legs and 4 claws on the front legs. It is an animal that is active day or night, and always searches for food and lives on the move. For this reason, anteaters are known not to have a specific home and often temporarily use burrows and pits in bushes. Giant anteaters prefer grasslands, wetlands and open rainforests. Giant anteaters have a very low metabolism, so they often lie down and sleep for about 14-15 hours a day. You can’t climb trees, but you can swim.

Ecology

Giant anteaters live on insects and their larvae, as well as fruits. Ants and termites are my favorite foods. You poke your slender mouth into a burrow and lick it with your tongue to eat. It has excellent hearing and smell, and you can see the location of your prey. The breeding style is embryo. Breeding times vary from region to region. The gestation period is about half a year, and one can be born at a time. Breastfeeding lasts about 6 months and the child will be able to become independent after a year. It matures in 3 years after birth and has a lifespan of about 15 years. It can take more than 25 years in captivity.

Endangered species

Giant anteaters are gradually becoming smaller in area due to recent deforestation and land development. It is often hunted by humans because it is edible and sometimes leather is used. Giant anteaters have been listed in Annex II since the entry into force of the Washington Convention in 1975. Giant anteaters are also large animals that can kill humans or even in retaliation. Giant anteaters are designated as an endangered species.

Breeding

Giant anteaters can be difficult to breed as they are declining in number and can attack humans. It is quite difficult for ordinary people to breed. Watch at the zoo or go to South America.