There are three species in the Myrmecophagidae family: the Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), the Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana), and the Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla). They live in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, forests, and rainforests in Central and South America.

Anteaters have long, narrow snouts and long, thin, sticky tongues. They have small eyes, small ears, and no teeth. Their strong front claws help them tear open ant nests and termite mounds to find food. Giant Anteaters have five digits on each front foot, but the tamanduas have four. Because their claws do not retract, they often walk on their knuckles to protect the sharp tips of their claws.

Anteaters have long tails. The tails of the Northern and Southern Tamanduas are prehensile, which means they can grasp and hold onto branches to help the animals climb. The Giant Anteater’s tail is not prehensile and is covered with long, bushy fur.

Anteaters use their long, sticky tongues to collect ants, termites, and other small insects. They are mostly solitary animals, usually living alone except when mating or raising young. Females generally give birth to one baby at a time. The baby rides on its mother’s back for protection.

The Giant Anteater lives on the ground, while the Northern and Southern Tamanduas spend time both in trees and on the ground.

The Giant Anteater is the largest species in the family, measuring about 5.7–9.2 feet (1.7–2.8 m) from its nose to the tip of its tail. The Northern and Southern Tamanduas are much smaller, with bodies about 18–31 inches (47–80 cm) long, plus a long tail.