Tamanduas
are not likely to be confused with any other
rainforest mammal. They certainly are unique
both in appearance and lifestyle. The name
Tamandua comes for the union of two Tupi Indian
words: "Taa", meaning ant, and "Mandeu", meaning
trap.
Their long snout, long
prehensile tail, massive hand claws, and the
black "vest" they appear to wear draped on a
white background make Tamanduas unmistakable
in Costa Rica's forests.
These
are by far the most common anteaters in the
country. Costa Rica is also home to the huge
Giant Anteater and the tiny Silky Anteater, both
of which are rarely seen.
Apart
from these two anteaters, Tamanduas are most
closely related to sloths and armadillos. They
are grouped together because they lack any real
teeth. Anteaters are the only ones, however,
that have absolutely no teeth. In fact, their
mouth can only open to about the diameter of a
pencil! This leaves the Tamandua just enough
room to stick out its very long, sticky tongue.
A Tamandua's tongue can measure
up to 40 centimeters and is covered with bristly
hairs that point towards the mouth. They also
have a huge salivary gland that keeps the tongue
wet and sticky. When they are foraging,
Tamanduas rip into logs, trees, and termite
mounds with their massive claws and lap up any
fleeing ants and termites. They are also fond of
eating bees and their honey.
Studies have shown that some
Tamanduas are more arboreal while others are
mostly terrestrial. Terrestrial Tamanduas tend
to eat more termites, while arboreal ones are
more prone to eat ants. Because of their
unique diet, their stomach has a muscular
gizzard that aids them in grinding up their
prey.
They
tend to avoid ants with spiky bodies or strong
defense mechanisms. When a Tamandua forages,
they generally spend only a few minutes at each
nest. This way, they can eat in relative peace
before the soldiers from the colony mount an
attack. Once this happens they move on.
Tamanduas
usually forage in a straight line, ensuring they
do not visit the same nest twice. This strategy
not only helps them avoid the nasty soldier
ants, but also allows nests to regenerate so the
anteater can return in a few days and plunder it
anew. When not at rest, they are almost always
on the move.
This is why seeing a
Tamandua on the Night Tour, or anywhere in
nature, is always a chance encounter and
such a treat. Normally when we do encounter
them they just go about their business,
apparently oblivious to our presence. Many
times they walk down the trail, right next to
the group.
But don't be fooled
by this tranquil demeanor. When cornered
Tamanduas will fiercely defend themselves. They
prop themselves upright using their tail as a
counterbalance and swing their sharp claws
violently.
Giant
Anteaters defend themselves the same way and are
rumored to kill large animals, including
jaguars, when defending themselves from an
attack.
An encounter with a Tamandua can happen during
the day or at night. Every individual anteater
in a study carried out in Panama was active for
about eight hours, but each kept a different
schedule than the rest.
Very little is know about the reproductive
habits of Tamanduas. They breed late in the
rainy season and females have a gestation period
lasting 130 to 190 days. Females normally give
birth to one offspring, usually towards the end
of dry season, although twins have also been
documented.
While foraging,
females hide their young in dens and return to
them when they have finished. They move their
young to other dens from time to time, but it is
rare to see a female moving about with her baby.
We were fortunate enough to see this once during
a Night Tour. The baby Tamandua was clinging on
to the mother's lower back as she moved through
the trees. Young Tamanduas will stay with their
mother until they are about one year old.
Captive Tamanduas have lived over nine years,
although in nature their life span is probably
shorter. Predators include Jaguars, Pumas, Harpy
Eagles and other large Hawk-eagles, as well as
very large snakes such as Boa Constrictors.
I was walking home from the
tour one night when I encountered a Northern
Tamandua. It crossed the trail right in front of
me and walked directly towards a palm tree with
some coconuts scattered at its base. To my
astonishment, the Tamandua went straight towards
one of the coconuts, ripped it open with its
massive claws and proceeded to drink the coconut
water! It is the only time I have observed this
incredible behavior, thankfully I had my phone and
I recorded the incident, check out the video
below!
References:
Beletsky, L.
2005 Travellers' Wildlife Guides Costa
Rica Interlink Publishing
Janzen, D. 1983
Costa Rican Natural History University
of Chicago Press
Alien
Earthlings 
The Dark Side
Because of their
unique diet, their stomach has a muscular
gizzard that aids them in grinding up their
prey. 
But don't be fooled
by this tranquil demeanor. When cornered
Tamanduas will fiercely defend themselves. They
prop themselves upright using their tail as a
counterbalance and swing their sharp claws
violently. 
While foraging,
females hide their young in dens and return to
them when they have finished. They move their
young to other dens from time to time, but it is
rare to see a female moving about with her baby.
