Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Superorder: Xenarthra
Order: Pilosa
Suborder: Vermilingua
Family: Myrmecophagidae
Genus: Tamandua
The Tamandua is found throughout the Central and South Americas. It lives in both the forests and the grasslands. Its tail is partially prehensile, meaning it can be used to grasp objects. This makes it easier for the Tamandua to climb through and balance in the tree canopy.
It grows to be about 10-13 lbs (4-6 kg) and has a strong set of foreclaws that helps it open up wood and nests of ants and termites which is what the Tamandua's diet consists of. Its tongue is long and saliva-covered and has microscopic backward-pointing projections that help pick the ants and termites out of the nest. Since the Tamandua has no teeth, it must rely on its powerful gizzard to break down food.
A Tamandua has one single young at a time which stays with the female until nearly half her size. When she moves from place to place, the young ride on her back and cling tightly to her fur.
2 comments:
Look a painting tamandua
http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/exchange-glance/Y05X5811266X7618169/002-3781906-7012010#details
Gerald Durrell described the tamandua's defensive posture as sitting up and raising both forelegs above its head so that the claws are ready to slash down. This has given rise to the local name, 'Tank ee, God'
Post a Comment