Did you know that there are four distinct species of anteater? Or that they eat more than just ants? Read on to learn more about these and other anteater key facts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scientific Family:<\/strong><\/td>| Vermilingua<\/em><\/td><\/tr> | Number of Species:<\/strong><\/td> | 4<\/td><\/tr> | Type of Animal:<\/strong><\/td> | Mammal<\/td><\/tr> | Physical Description:<\/strong><\/td> | All species have a long, narrow snout and long, wormlike tongue, as well as sharp claws on their forefeet. Giant anteaters are dark brown and black in color, with shaggy fur on the tail. Tamanduas are lighter in color with a distinctive black \u201cvest\u201d marking across their shoulders. Silky anteaters are a solid tan to brown in color. Tamanduas and silkies have prehensile, partially hairless tails that aid them in climbing trees. <\/td><\/tr> | Distribution:<\/strong><\/td> | Central and South America<\/td><\/tr> | Habitat:<\/strong><\/td> | Tropical; can be found in forests, jungles, grasslands, and savannas.<\/td><\/tr> | Average Size:<\/strong><\/td> | Dependent on species. | – Giant anteater: 6 feet long, up to 88 pounds. – Southern and northern tamanduas: 4 feet long, up to 18.5 pounds. – Silky anteater: 17 inches long, up to 11 ounces.<\/td><\/tr> Average Lifespan:<\/strong><\/td> | 7 to 15 years<\/td><\/tr> | Diet:<\/strong><\/td> | Insectivorous: primarily ants and termites. May also eat<\/a>: | – Vegetation – Fruit – Invertebrates – Small vertebrates – Bird eggs – Carrion<\/td><\/tr> Endangered?<\/strong><\/td> | The giant anteater is listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Other species are not considered<\/a> endangered or threatened.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n | What Is an Anteater?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n |