Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- giant_anteater [2023/09/27 11:13] – zookeeper
+++ giant_anteater [2023/09/27 16:22] (current) – zookeeper
@@ Line 11: / Line 11: @@
 {{ :waegiantanteater.png?600&nolink|}}
-This species of medium-sized mammal is the only living species in its genus. Its genus in turn is one of only two in the family //Myrmecophagidae//, the other, //Tamandua//, containing arboreal anteaters of as far north as central Mexico and as far south as northern Uruguay. The Giant Anteater inhabits a large range across South America – though in some areas further north and south of its current range it has been known to exist; but is no longer believed to. Most of the giant anteater’s range is believed to exist in the Chaco region of Argentina – where there exists a terrain of varied soil firmness and presence of woodland. The known range of the Giant Anteater is believed to find a ‘barrier’ at the Andean mountain range – where the terrain is too harsh for the animal to live. Both the ground-dwelling Giant Anteater and tree-dwelling tamanduas shared a common ancestor until some 15 million years ago. The comparative size of the giant anteater may be due to island isolation prior to 3 million years ago – with the prime predator of the animal, the jaguar, only crossing into South America around that time. Few jaguar live in the Chaco today, and so in this area anteaters are seemingly especially abundant.
+**T**his species of medium-sized mammal is the only living species in its genus. Its genus in turn is one of only two in the family //Myrmecophagidae//, the other, //Tamandua//, containing arboreal anteaters of as far north as central Mexico and as far south as northern Uruguay. The Giant Anteater inhabits a large range across South America – though in some areas further north and south of its current range it has been known to exist; but is no longer believed to. Most of the giant anteater’s range is believed to exist in the Chaco region of Argentina – where there exists a terrain of varied soil firmness and presence of woodland. The known range of the Giant Anteater is believed to find a ‘barrier’ at the Andean mountain range – where the terrain is too harsh for the animal to live. Both the ground-dwelling Giant Anteater and tree-dwelling tamanduas shared a common ancestor until some 15 million years ago. The comparative size of the giant anteater may be due to island isolation prior to 3 million years ago – with the prime predator of the animal, the jaguar, only crossing into South America around that time. Few jaguar live in the Chaco today, and so in this area anteaters are seemingly especially abundant.
 ----
-By far the largest anteater, this species measures from the nose to the body, excluding the tail, some 1.25 metres – with the bushy tail almost as long as the body itself. Unusual for an anteater, and for a mammal of its size and inhabitance, the tail is covered in grizzled hairs; where they are in abundance. Despite not being heavily arboreal; though it has been observed scaling termite mounds for food; the tail is comparative in relative size to that of the three arboreal anteaters. One purpose of the anteater’s tail seems to be that it can be used as a ‘blanket’ when the animal is sleeping. They do not regularly dig burrows as do armadillos – but prefer to find a secluded area of bush or comparable foliage. Giant anteaters have been observed to have surprising climbing ability – with some individuals being observed to climb trees as tall as 20 metres. The ears and eyes of the animal are small – but of most anatomical significance of the animal’s head is its elongated skull. The skull mostly consists of the snout; which has a small, inflexible jawbone. It has no teeth – but contains a sticky tongue which is about 35 centimetres in length. The sense of smell is potent – often considered to be 40 times as powerful as that of a human’s. The anteater’s body is predominantly a grey or brown colour – with the hindquarters of the animal being slightly darker than are the front quarters. The anteater’s body has a thick, black stripe which surpasses some portion of the front legs – which has a whiteish outline. When walking, the arched posture of the anteater is noticeable – especially if it has its head towards the ground as it forages for insects. The front legs of the anteater are a lighter colour – though the area just above the knuckles is black. When walking, anteaters assume a stance not unlike larger primates – in that they walk on their knuckles. The front claw of the anteater has large claws – which can be used to deter predators, or to dig into insect nests. The five toes between them have three large claws and one smaller one – the fifth toe is without a claw. The back feet, which are largely flat, have five toes and five claws. Little difference exists between the sexes.
+By far the largest anteater, this species measures from the nose to the body, excluding the tail, some 1.25 metres – with the bushy tail almost as long as the body itself. A male anteater can weigh up to some 40 kilogrammes - with females typically weighing less. Unusual for an anteater, and for a mammal of its size and inhabitance, the tail is covered in grizzled hairs; where they are in abundance. Despite not being heavily arboreal; though it has been observed scaling termite mounds for food; the tail is comparative in relative size to that of the three arboreal anteaters. One purpose of the anteater’s tail seems to be that it can be used as a ‘blanket’ when the animal is sleeping. They do not regularly dig burrows as do armadillos – but prefer to find a secluded area of bush or comparable foliage. Giant anteaters have been observed to have surprising climbing ability – with some individuals being observed to climb trees as tall as 20 metres. The ears and eyes of the animal are small – but of most anatomical significance of the animal’s head is its elongated skull. The skull mostly consists of the snout; which has a small, inflexible jawbone. It has no teeth – but contains a sticky tongue which is about 35 centimetres in length. The sense of smell is potent – often considered to be 40 times as powerful as that of a human’s. The anteater’s body is predominantly a grey or brown colour – with the hindquarters of the animal being slightly darker than are the front quarters. The anteater’s body has a thick, black stripe which surpasses some portion of the front legs – which has a whiteish outline. When walking, the arched posture of the anteater is noticeable – especially if it has its head towards the ground as it forages for insects. The front legs of the anteater are a lighter colour – though the area just above the knuckles is black. When walking, anteaters assume a stance not unlike larger primates – in that they walk on their knuckles. The front claw of the anteater has large claws – which can be used to deter predators, or to dig into insect nests. The five toes between them have three large claws and one smaller one – the fifth toe is without a claw. The back feet, which are largely flat, have five toes and five claws. Little difference exists between the sexes.
 {{ :waeanteaterclaw.png?400&nolink|}} {{ :waeanteaterbackfoot.png?400&nolink|}} {{  :waeanteatersnout.png?400&nolink|}}
@@ Line 25: / Line 25: @@
 //A montage of 'piggy-back rides'. The young often do this when they are small and relatively helpless - and even when they are notably larger and somewhat less helpless.//
 ----
-Some cultures hold superstition to the giant anteater – one such being that they are an omen of bad luck. And so in addition to being wrongfully persecuted for killing of livestock, superstition also plays a part in an ongoing population decline. They are slow, and often subject to car collisions – be it intentional or unintentional. They are also threatened by the encroaching nature of South American agriculture – with areas of forest stripped away, they are unable to regulate body temperature. The IUCN has assessed the giant anteater as of ‘vulnerable’ status – at last estimate there being 5000 or so mature individuals left in a decreasing population. A species much of sensitive nature, many first attempts to bring the species into captivity were unsuccessful, with high mortality rates amongst newborns. The specialized diet was also one that presented difficulty – and so in captivity they are fed on a high-protein mixture consisting of soybean extract, taurine-infused cat food, boiled egg, ground beef, soya yoghurt, various fruits and vegetables, and honey as an additional treat. It is blended into a pasty mixture which is readily lapped up by the animals. Still, some zoologists question whether the diet is subject to revision. But breeding success has improved since – With about 90 zoos in Europe holding the species – and another 60 or so do so in the United States. If the captive population can be reintegrated into a wild reintroduction – as is already being done in areas of Argentina, then it would put an improving breeding record to good use.
+Europeans of the 18th century saw the giant anteater, as they did with many other animals, as mainly a curiosity. One particular account of an anteater en route to Charles III of Spain's menagerie recalls that the animal was fed on the transatlantic voyage a diet of small bread pieces, minced meat, milk and flour. The animal died a few years later, with its remains embellished in a natural history display. To Europeans the giant anteater was something of a novelty - one commonly-held belief was that all anteaters were female, and used their long snouts to mate. It wasn't until close to the end of the century that Spaniard soldier Felix de Azara would discredit this idea. Some cultures hold superstition to the giant anteater – one such being that they are an omen of bad luck. And so in addition to being wrongfully persecuted for killing of livestock, superstition also plays a part in an ongoing population decline. They are slow, and often subject to car collisions – be it intentional or unintentional. They are also threatened by the encroaching nature of South American agriculture – with areas of forest stripped away, they are unable to regulate body temperature. The IUCN has assessed the giant anteater as of ‘vulnerable’ status – at last estimate there being 5000 or so mature individuals left in a decreasing population. A species much of sensitive nature, many first attempts to bring the species into captivity were unsuccessful, with high mortality rates amongst newborns. The specialized diet was also one that presented difficulty – and so in captivity they are fed on a high-protein mixture consisting of soybean extract, taurine-infused cat food, boiled egg, ground beef, soya yoghurt, various fruits and vegetables, and honey as an additional treat. It is blended into a pasty mixture which is readily lapped up by the animals. Still, some zoologists question whether the diet is subject to revision. But breeding success has improved since – With about 90 zoos in Europe holding the species – and another 60 or so doing so in the United States. If the captive population can be reintegrated into a wild reintroduction – as is already being done in areas of Argentina, then it would put an improving breeding record to good use.
 ----