Tamandua or Lesser Anteater | 台北市立動物園資訊網

CLASS:Mammalia(Mammals)·ORDER:Pilosa·FAMILY:Myremecophagidae·GENUS:Tamandua·SPECIES:tetradactyla(southerntamandua)andmexicana( ...

A tamandua’s strange looks work to its advantage in its Central and South American forest and scrub habitat. It has thick, coarse fur that is light yellow, tan, brown, or gray. The thick hair keeps angry ants from reaching the tamandua’s skin when dining at an anthill. 

Many also have a large, black band covering the sides of their body or a black "V" going down their back. The enormous front claws help tamanduas climb. They have four toes on the front feet, with an extra-long claw on the third toe. These long claws cause tamanduas to walk on the outside edges of their front feet so the claws dont dig into their feet! The important claws are also used for defense and when digging for food.

A tamanduas prehensile tail comes in handy for spending time in the trees. The underside and end of the tail ...