Northern Tamandua

 

(Tamandua Mexicana)

Spanish: Brazo Fuerte, Oso Hormiguero. Belizean Creole: Antsbear, Anteater.

 

Northern tamanduas are one of two species of anteaters found in Belize. Tamanduas have strong arms, this is why they are locally referred to as “brazo fuerte” in Spanish. On each front paw, tamanduas have four claws that range from 4 to 10 centimeters in length. These long weapons are used for defense and breaking open termite and ant nests, into which the tamandua then inserts its slender tongue covered in sticky saliva to draw out ants and termites. 

Tamanduas spend time on the ground and trees. They have a strong, prehensile tail that acts as an extra limb for them to wrap around trunks and branches whilst climbing. Their tail also helps to anchor their body when standing upright on their hind legs.

Fun Facts

• Tamanduas can eat up to 9,000 ants per day
• In the wild, tamanduas will visit 50-80 ant colonies per day to feed. Because of the insects’ aggressive defence, the tamanduas are only able to feed on each nest for less than a minute
• A tamandua’s tongue is nearly 16 inches long and can flick at a rate of 200 times per minute!
• A tamandua was once found with over a pound of insects in its stomach!
• They are a preferred prey species for the mighty harpy eagle
• Anteaters are the sloth’s closest relatives

 

Belize Zoo Trivia

• Archie the anteater was brought to the Zoo as an orphan in 2020. He was only days old, still had his umbilical cord attached, and barely weighed 9 ounces!
• His favourite enrichment is breaking into a fresh termite mound.

 

Conservation Efforts

Due to their slow moving nature, tamanduas are one of the main wildlife species that are recorded as roadkill along Belize’s highways. There are currently plans to implement wildlife crossings along the George Price Highway near the Belize Zoo, which will provide safe passage and survival for species like the tamandua while crossing the road.