Giant anteater – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

Giant anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla
VU

IUCN status
Vulnerable
Find out more

Giant anteater – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

« Not a single tooth, but a 60 cm tongue: the giant anteater is an exceptional insect hunter »

The giant anteater

The largest of the anteaters

The giant anteater is the largest anteater species. This mammal from Central and South America is instantly recognisable by its long, tube-shaped snout, large bushy tail and distinctive black, white and brown coat.

It has no teeth and feeds almost exclusively on ants and termites, which it captures using an extraordinary tongue. A terrestrial and solitary animal, it travels across large areas in search of food. The giant anteater is one of the many species you can discover in Beauval’s animal directory.

Giant anteater – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

Did you know?

Inca, a baby giant anteater born at Beauval

She’s doing wonderfully well!

Remember, on 1 April 2025, a very special little arrival made its debut in the South American Aviary: a baby giant anteater was born.
The little female, named Inca, is doing wonderfully well!

A vulnerable species supported by Beauval

Classified as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN, the giant anteater has disappeared from many parts of its former range, particularly in Central America.

Wildfires affecting the Pantanal and Cerrado, road collisions, hunting and habitat destruction all place significant pressure on its populations.

In Brazil, Beauval Nature supports the giant anteater conservation programme run by ICAS, the Wild Animal Conservation Institute. Teams in the field study and monitor giant anteaters, work to reduce vehicle collisions, and help rehabilitate and release rescued animals.

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Giant anteater – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval

Where can you see the giant anteater at ZooParc de Beauval?

At ZooParc de Beauval, you can discover the giant anteater in The Great South American Aviary, at the heart of a vast space dedicated to South American wildlife.

Take the time to watch it exploring its territory with its long snout close to the ground as it searches for scents and food. Its unusual silhouette, long bushy tail and distinctive walk make it very easy to recognise.

Find its location on the ZooParc map and take the opportunity to discover the many South American species living within Europe’s largest aviary.

Giant anteater news and updates
Giant anteater – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval
Giant anteater – Extraordinary animals of ZooParc de Beauval
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Learn more about the species

Range
America
  • Diet
    Insectivorous
  • Gestation period
    6 to 7 months
  • Litter size
    1 young
  • Habitat
    Pastures, Forests, Wetlands

The largest of the anteaters
The giant anteater can weigh between 18 and 39 kg, with a body measuring around 1 to 1.20 metres in length, plus a tail that can reach 90 cm. Its long, bushy tail, almost as large as the rest of its body, acts like a blanket when the animal is resting. It is by far the largest member of its family, significantly bigger than tree-dwelling anteaters such as tamanduas, which are also found in South America.

Powerful claws for breaking into ant nests
Its front feet are equipped with powerful claws capable of tearing open even the toughest termite mounds. To protect them, the giant anteater walks on the knuckles of its front feet, folding its long claws inwards. These same claws are also its main means of defence. When standing on its hind legs, a giant anteater is capable of defending itself against predators.

A solitary life spent searching for ants
The giant anteater lives alone and travels across a large home range each day in search of food. Its highly developed sense of smell allows it to locate insect nests far more effectively than its relatively poor eyesight. Quiet and generally peaceful, it spends much of its time searching through soil and mounds, helping to regulate ant and termite populations as it feeds.

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