ExploreMammals

Tamanduas

Tamandua

Tamanduas are fascinating animals that look like a mix between an anteater and a sloth! They have long tongues to eat ants and termites and love to climb trees in the rainforest.

Habitat: Forests

Appearance

The Tamanduas have a distinctive coat that varies from golden-brown to tan, often with a bold black "vest" pattern over their shoulders and back. They possess a long, tapered snout and small eyes, with strong, curved claws on their front feet. Their prehensile tail is hairless on the underside.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPilosaFamilyMyrmecophagidaeGenusTamandua
Tamanduas
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Tamanduas

Category

Mammals

Rarity

Common

Danger

2/5 · Low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

A tamandua's body temperature is one of the lowest among mammals!

Baby tamanduas often ride on their mother's back until they are too big!

Their powerful forelegs can even tear into tough termite mounds with ease!

They walk on the sides of their front feet to protect their long, sharp claws!

Special abilities

Ability

Tree Master

Tamanduas can climb trees and hang from branches using their strong claws and prehensile tail, which helps them forage safely.

Ability

Sticky Snatcher

Tamanduas has a super long (up to 40cm!), sticky tongue that helps them reach deep inside nests to eat insects.

Ability

Bug Sniffer

Tamanduas can sniff out insect nests from far away using their excellent sense of smell, helping them find their next meal.

Ability

Stinky Shield

Tamanduas can release a strong, unpleasant smell when threatened, which helps them deter predators.

Measurements & details

Length
70-160 cm
Weight
1.5-8.5 kg
Lifespan
9-16 years
Top Speed
15 km/h
Litter Size
1
Gestation
130-190 days

Diet & Feeding

These furry foragers love to slurp up ants and termites with their long, sticky tongues!

Primary Foods

  • Ants
  • Termites
  • Bee larvae
  • Beetle larvae

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

eaten by

Jaguar

Panthera onca

Large cats are a major predator of tamanduas.

eaten by

Puma

Puma concolor

Tamanduas are prey for pumas when on the ground.

eaten by

Boa constrictor

Boa constrictor

Snakes like boas can prey on smaller tamanduas.

eats

Leaf-cutter Ant

Atta cephalotes

Tamanduas regularly consume leaf-cutter ants.

eats

Conehead Termite

Nasutitermes corniger

These termites are a frequent meal for tamanduas.

Traits

Also known as

Lesser Anteater

Collections

Safety

Danger

2/5 · Low

Tamanduas are wild animals, so it's best to watch them from a distance and not try to touch them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Tamanduas?

70-160 cm

How much does Tamanduas weigh?

1.5-8.5 kg

How long does Tamanduas live?

9-16 years

How fast can Tamanduas move?

15 km/h

What does Tamanduas eat?

These furry foragers love to slurp up ants and termites with their long, sticky tongues!

Where is Tamanduas usually found?

Forests

How does Tamanduas hunt?

Foraging

How many babies does Tamanduas usually have?

1

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