Tamandua

Lifestyle

The solitary tamandua spends most of its time resting in tree hollows. Its active period lasts only about eight hours each day. When awake, this skilled climber uses its prehensile tail and big claws to scale and balance on branches as it searches for tasty bugs.

The tamandua’s strong arms and claws provide good defense against forest predators, such as birds of prey and jaguars. Like a skunk, it can also release a stinky odor to protect itself.

Food

A tamandua’s favorite foods are ants, termites, and bees. Once it sniffs out a nest or mound, it uses its sharp claws to rip it open, then fishes out the insects with its long tongue. Since tamanduas have no teeth, its sticky, spiny tongue does a lot of the work of eating. Like a chicken, it also has a gizzard in its digestive tract that helps grind food.

Life Cycle

A tamandua mom gives birth to one baby in the springtime. The youngster rides on her back for several months, and becomes independent at about a year. Tamanduas can live ten or more years in a zoo.

Population Status & Threats

Habitat loss has caused tamanduas to decline in some areas, as settlers move into their range. However, the population is generally large and widespread, and the species is considered to be of least concern.

WCS Conservation Efforts

WCS runs country programs across Latin America, such as in Guatemala and Belize, where tamanduas live. Our conservationists work closely with local communities, governments, and NGOs on protecting biodiversity, surveying wildlife populations, and linking habitat corridors throughout Mesoamerica.