Myrmecophaga tridactyla
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
The giant anteaters at Howletts have always fascinated visitors. Our pair, Zet and Fidji prefer to sleep indoors for most of the time, but are occasionally seen exploring their outside paddock and searching for insects in the logs of their enclosure. A single anteater can consume as many as 30,000 ants per day, which they literally hoover up using their elongated snouts and long sticky tongues!
Want To Know More
Giant anteaters are the largest of the four anteater species. Their strong, powerful claws are impressive weapons of defence and they use them to rip through the tough exterior of termite mounds and ant nests.
Giant anteaters walk on their knuckles so their claws are not worn down, but they do like to spend up to 16 hours a day resting in quiet areas.
Come and meet the family!
We care for over 400 animals across 50 species. Our expert keepers look after the incredible animals that call our 100 acre park home, day in and day out and welcome you to take a peek into a world where the animals really do come first.
