If cornered and unable to run away, anteaters stand up on their back legs and use their front claws to fight. They are also able to swim and climb trees with ease, though it’s not as common. In general, they only seek shallow, muddy water, to bathe or to cool off from heat.
One of the next things we asked ourselves was; how do anteaters defend themselves?
In this tripod-like position an anteater can defend itself with its big claws and strong front legs. These claws are extremely powerful – they can tear into skin of predators, including humans, as well as their biggest animal predators, jaguars and pumas. What is the lifespan of an anteater?
A cornered anteater will rear up on its hind legs, using its tail for balance, and lash out with dangerous claws. The giant anteater’s claws are some four inches long, and the animal can fight off even a puma or jaguar.
Giant anteaters protect their sharp front claws by tucking them into their palms and walking on their front knuckles. Their back feet and claws are more similar to bears (they only knuckle walk with their front feet). They walk in a slow, shuffling gait but when necessary can gallop at over 30 miles per hour (48 kilometers per hour).
What are the anteater’s enemies?
The anteater’s main enemies are jaguars and pumas, which hunt them in the grasslands, swampy areas, and forests where they live . When threatened, anteaters can rear up on their hind legs, roaring loudly and slashing at an attacker with powerful front legs and sharp claws.
Fun Facts 1 A giant anteater’s tongue is 2 feet long and can flick in and out of its mouth 150 times per minute. 2 It’s coated in sticky saliva, which allows anteaters to slurp up ants and termites. 3 Research has found that giant anteaters can identify a particular species of ant or termite by smell before they rip apart a nest.
What happens when an anteater is threatened?
When threatened, anteaters can rear up on their hind legs, roaring loudly and slashing at an attacker with powerful front legs and sharp claws. When in danger, these mild-mannered insect eaters can appear quite ferocious, sending a predator off to find an easier meal.
This giant anteater, Myrmecophaga tridactyla, was photographed in Manaus, Brazil, as part of a camera trap study. They have poor vision, bad hearing and no teeth. And yet, anteaters can be deadly.
The giant anteater uses its sharp claws to tear an opening into an anthill and put its long snout, sticky saliva, and efficient tongue to work. But it has to eat quickly, flicking its tongue up to 150 times per minute.
How do anteaters use their tongues?
Anteaters use their tongues as their primary tool for gathering food. Their tongue, which can be up to 2 feet in length, is covered in small, spiny protrusions and sticky saliva. Its shape and design allow the anteater to maneuver it down into the narrow spaces where ants and termites burrow.