O. Xenarthra

F. Myrmecophagidae

The giant anteater is a curious South American mammal that feeds almost entirely on ants and termites.

The opening for the mouth is very small; it has no teeth and it sports a very long thin tongue, up to a metre in length. This tongue is covered in tiny prickles that point backwards, and is impregnated with a viscous saliva that makes the ants stick to it when the animal inserts its tongue into the anthill, which it can do up to 150 times a minute.

To gain access to the anthills and termitaria, it uses its strong curved claws. These also play an important part in defence: when attacked by a jaguar or a puma, its only natural enemies, it rises on its hind legs and slashes with its claws, which can cause serious injuries to these powerful predators. Because of the length of these claws, it walks with its paws facing outwards.