![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/Myresluger2.jpg/640px-Myresluger2.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Anteater
mammals known for eating ants and termites / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
An anteater is a mammal of the family Myrmecophagidae and the suborder Vermilingua. Anteaters live in South America and Central America.
Quick Facts Anteater Temporal range: Early Miocene-present, Scientific classification ...
Anteater Temporal range: Early Miocene-present | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Giant anteater | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Pilosa |
Suborder: | Vermilingua Illiger, 1811 |
Families | |
Cyclopedidae |
Close
Anteaters eat ants and termites. They have long, sharp claws and a long, sticky tongue. The tongue can be up to 60 cm long, as long as a person's arm. The anteater opens an ant nest with its claws. Then it licks up the ants with its tongue.
Large anteaters that move on the ground knuckle-walk, bending their front toes under when they move the way gorillas do. Small anteaters that live in trees do not do this.[1]