A note on the climbing abilities of giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Xenarthra, Myrmecophagidae)

Young, R; Coelho, C; Wieloch, D

Abstract

In this note we provide seven observations of climbing behaviour by giant anteaters. Five observations were recorded in the field: three of giant anteaters climbing on top of 1.5 to 2.0 metre high termite mounds, and two observations of giant anteaters in trees. In these cases the animals were apparently trying to obtain food. The other two observations are from captivity, one involves a juvenile animal that several times over a three month period climbed in a tree to the height of around 20 metres. The final observation, involves an adult female that after being separated from her mother climbed on two occasions over a wall with a fence on top (total height 2 metres) to be reunited with her mother. It therefore seems that, despite the fact only one other record of climbing behaviour by giant anteaters exists in the scientific literature that giant anteaters have the ability to climb. It also may be the case that young adults are highly motivated to stay with their mothers.

Citation

Young, R., Coelho, C., & Wieloch, D. (2003). A note on the climbing abilities of giant anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Xenarthra, Myrmecophagidae). #Journal not on list, 15, 41-46

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2003-01
• Deposit Date: Jul 13, 2023
• Journal: Boletim do Museu de Biologia Mello Leitão, Nova Série
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Pages: 41-46
• Publisher URL: http://antigo.inma.gov.br/downloads/boletim/arquivos/15/Boletim_15_Artigo05.pdf