{"id":13077,"date":"2024-01-31T05:21:34","date_gmt":"2024-01-31T10:21:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/?p=13077"},"modified":"2024-02-03T11:41:20","modified_gmt":"2024-02-03T16:41:20","slug":"what-adaptations-do-anteaters-have-to-survive","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forestwildlife.org\/what-adaptations-do-anteaters-have-to-survive\/","title":{"rendered":"What Adaptations Do Anteaters Have To Survive?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s no doubt about it: anteaters are strange-looking animals<\/a>. But did you know that many of their oddest features actually help them survive in their natural habitats? In this article, we\u2019ll take a closer look at these features as we answer the question, \u201cwhat adaptations do anteaters have to survive?\u201d Keep reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Physical Adaptations Do Anteaters Have to Help Them Survive?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the wild, anteaters are found only in tropical regions of Central and South America. They have adapted over time to a highly specific set of circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s take a closer look at these adaptations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tongue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anteaters have long, worm-like tongues that are specially adapted to help them eat up to 30,000 ants and termites a day. Depending on the species, some anteaters have tongues up to two feet long.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their tongues are covered in sharp barbs and sticky saliva that help them trap large numbers of insects at a time. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tongue can flick in and out of the mouth about 150 times per minute, which allows them to consume great amounts of insects in very little time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Snout<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The anteater\u2019s snout is long and narrow, making it perfect for sticking down anthills or burrows in termite mounds. This allows the anteater to reach its primary food source easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The anteater\u2019s nose is located on the end of this long snout, which helps it sniff out its next meal. Anteaters have an excellent sense of smell.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anteaters are good swimmers, and the placement of the nose at the tip of the snout helps the anteater keep it easily above water while swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Digestive System<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anteaters have no teeth, which means they must swallow their food whole. In turn, this requires a powerful digestive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anteaters have strong stomach acids that break down their food, dissolving ants, termites, and other food sources easily and efficiently.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also have strong stomach muscles which help to crush and break down their food, making it easier to digest. Between these stomach muscles and the acids, anteaters are able to consume large amounts of food by swallowing it whole. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tail<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Three of the four anteater species have strong, partially hairless tails, while the fourth has a tail covered in shaggy fur. These adaptations help them thrive in their particular environments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The northern and southern tamanduas and silky anteaters all live primarily in trees. Their strong tails help them move through the trees easily, and the hairless section allows them a better grip on the branches.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, the giant anteater<\/a>, which lives on the ground, often uses its shaggy tail to cover its head and body during cooler weather. The anteater can also use this tail as an extra limb, rearing up on its back legs and tail in a tripod pose when it feels threatened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Claws<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Anteaters have varying numbers of claws depending on their species. Giant anteaters have three claws, while tamanduas have four and silky anteaters have two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Regardless of the species, the large, sharp claws are located on the front feet only. The claws help the anteaters rip into hard termite mounds, making it easier to reach the tasty food inside.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The claws can also be used for climbing trees and self defense. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out this video to learn more about the various adaptations of anteaters:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=qUsGWoTfDLM<\/a>