Tamandua Tamandua tetradactyla

This great Teddy Bear of an animal with blond fur and black dungarees is a Tamandua. It is a type of Anteater, as evidenced by its extremely long tongue (top right). Native to South America (Venezuela to northern Argentina), it is also called the Lesser Anteater and the Southern Tamandua, to distinguish it from the similar Northern Tamandua (Tamandua mexicana).

It is nocturnal, solitary and very adept at climbing. It climbs fast for such a big animal.

It is surprising that such a large animal can live on ants and termites. Unlike its relative, the larger Giant Anteater, its climbing skills allow it to reach nests in trees as well as on the ground.

Fur can be pink/red, yellow/blonde, dark brown or black and can be without the "dungarees" completely, have just a faint marking or, as above, a bold marking. (P.S. The UK "dungarees" are called "bib and brace overalls" in the USA.)

A youngster