Giant Anteater
Myrmecophaga tridactyla 
Makushi name: Tumanuwa 
Creole name: Ants Eater 
Size: body=1.2 m; tail=75 cm; weight=30 kg 
Description: Large, appears “too long” for its height, due to long bushy tail and long nose. Distinct markings on chest and forelegs; four claws on forefoot, five claws on hind foot. Unmistakable. 
Activity: May be active by day or night; activity cycle varies with external temperature, rainfall and extent of human disturbance. Terrestrial, moves with a shuffling gait or rolling gallop. 
Habits: Solitary except when breeding; female carries young on their back for up to 9 months. This large anteater travels long distances when feeding, moving at a fast walk. It uses its powerful claws to open large termite mounds or terrestrial ant nests, stopping for only a few seconds at each mound to feed. The short feeding bouts enable it to quickly gather larvae and workers from the colony before soldier insects are mobilized to bite or spray noxious chemicals at its nose and mouth. It is usually silent but may roar when threatened. If cornered, it will rear up and slash at the attacker with its massive claws. 
Habitat: Forest and savannah. Most common in areas with conspicuous termite mounds. 
Signs: Odd-looking tracks show front claws pointing backward or laterally (it walks on the knuckles with the claws turned under), front track 80 to 100 mm wide; breakage to the upper levels of large termite mounds indicate recent activity of this species (Giant Armadillo attacks near base of mounds). 
Status: Absent from many suitable areas due to human persecution. Listed on CITES Appendix II. IUCN rank of Vulnerable. 
Distribution in Iwokrama