Fauna species
We work for Nature, our future and the well-being of the planet. Read more about some of the animals that live around here, that we need to protect.
Check out who we caught in our forest with our camera traps!
Research study by Tiago Falotico from CapCult Project.
Leopardus pardalis
Ocelot
A feline species found only in the American continent, the ocelot occurs from the south of the USA (Texas) to the north of Argentina. In Brazil, it occurs in all regions, except in the south of Rio Grande do Sul. The Ocelot is a medium-sized cat (11 to 16 kg), being considered the largest of the small spotted cats in the American continent.
Although ocelots generally avoid open areas during the day, they sometimes feed in them at night. They occur in a diversity of habitats, tropical rainforests, semi-deciduous forests, wetlands and riparian forests. However, despite the diversity of habitats in which the ocelots occur, they are not generalists regarding their use, on the contrary, movement pattern studies indicate that they are much associated with areas of dense arboreal vegetation, suggesting that they occupy a much wider range of micro-habitats than would be predicted by their wide geographic distribution.
Ocelots are carnivorous animals that, although able to hunt up in trees, studies of their diet indicate that they are more efficient hunters on the ground. They feed on a variety of prey such as birds, snakes, lizards, fish and even crabs. However, the main prey of ocelots are small mammals (up to 1 kg), especially small wild rodents with nocturnal habits.
The ocelot, as well as six other species of Brazilian felines, is included in the most recent list of endangered species of Brazilian fauna. Until the mid-1980s, hunting for the fur trade was the main threat to ocelot populations but today the greatest sources of threat are deforestation, forest fragmentation and the consequent genetic isolation of these populations. It is estimated that only 3 to 6% of the original distribution of the Ocelot is legally protected.
Cats are predators at the top of the food chain and their extinction entails a series of damage to the ecosystem. Most of the prey of ocelots, and other smaller cats as well, are rodents that feed on seeds and sprouts. In the absence of predators, populations of these rodents increase in number and, consequently, the consumption of seeds and sprouts also increases, which can lead to changes in the species composition of the forest and even the extinction of some species.
CONCONE, HV; MAURO, RA & AGUIAR, LMS Ocelot – Leopardus pardalis. Cerrado Fauna and Flora, Campo Grande, July 2005. Available at: < http://www.cnpgc.embrapa.br/series/ema/Ema.htm >. Accessed on: < 26 , May > 114 .
Puma concolor
Puma
It is the second largest feline species in Brazil, weighing an average of 39kg, with an uniform coloration ranging from light grayish-brown to reddish-brown. The puma has solitary and terrestrial habits, with predominantly nocturnal activity, it is very agile and easily climbs trees, which it uses to rest. It usually takes refuge in caves and dark places with dense vegetation. It is a carnivorous animal, the average weight of its prey is 18kg. It has generalist habits, hunting mainly capybaras, pacas, cotias, other small rodents, marsupials, armadillos, anteaters, deer, peccaries, native hares, coatis, hedgehogs, rheas, fish and insects.
It is currently considered extinct in eastern North America, remaining only in southwestern Canada and the west coast of the USA and throughout Mexico. It is present in practically all of Central and South America, with the exception of densely populated areas along the coast and south of Rio Grande do Sul. In Brazil, it occurs in the Amazon Forest, in Pantanal fields and forests, Cerrado, Caatinga, Atlantic Forest and pampas of the gaúcha mountain range.
The destruction of their habitat, fragmentation and the consequent decrease in the number of natural prey, associated with the approximation of these animals with human populations, are their main threats. This cat is listed as an “active threat” by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), due to the high hunting pressure it suffers, especially in regions close to farms. There are several reports of animals being run over on highways, victims of hunters or slaughtered by farmers who believe that pumas threaten livestock.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Leopardus wiedii
Margay
It is a smaller species compared to the Ocelot, with large, protruding eyes and a long tail that can represent up to 70% of its body length. Its average weight is 3.3kg and its tail serves as a counterweight to aid its balance. The coat is long and its colour varies from grayish-yellow to ochre-brown and its longevity can exceed 20 years.
It has solitary and almost exclusively nocturnal habits, with very high activity recorded between 1 and 5am. Its main prey are small mammals, also squirrels, opossums, arthropods, small birds, fruits, porcupines, marmosets, capuchin monkeys and three-toed sloths. Margays show exceptional ability to climb trees, resting under them during the day. They can rotate their hind legs 180º, which makes it possible to move under tree branches, hanging by the hind leg, and to descend vertical trunks in the front. They do not adapt well to man-made habitat disturbances.
The margay is strongly associated with forest habitat, consisting mainly of green and deciduous forests, in addition to being found in coastal plains, forests, riparian forests and cerrado. This species is found in the coastal plains from Mexico to northern Uruguay and Argentina, and throughout Brazil, with the exception of the caatinga, to the northern part of Rio Grande do Sul, including in the gallery forests of the Cerrado.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Panthera onca
Jaguar
The jaguar is the largest cat in the Americas and the only living representative of the genus Panthera found in the New World. This species has frequent melanism and albinism is occasionally reported, it has a large, stubby head. Its weight varies depending on its habitat, jaguars that live in open environments hunt larger prey and consequently have higher weight, reaching 100kg in the Pantanal and Cerrado. This felid has a preference for larger prey such as collared peccaries, peccaries, tapirs and deer. Its color varies between light yellow and ocher brown, tending to brownish yellow.
The reproductive period is year-round, and the cubs stay for two years with their mother. The jaguar has solitary and terrestrial habits, and although it has been characterized as a mainly nocturnal animal, research with radiotelemetry shows that it is usually active during the day, with peak activity at dawn and dusk. They are excellent swimmers and divers, also great climbers.
The species is found from the coastal plains of Mexico to northern Argentina. It originally occurred throughout Brazil, and is currently restricted to the northern region, to the east of Maranhão, to parts of central Brazil, Pantanal and in some isolated areas of the South and Southeast regions. It inhabits areas of dense vegetation, with abundant water supply and abundant prey, including tropical and subtropical forests, cerrado, caatinga, wetlands and mangroves. Our founder, Marianne Soisalo, studied jaguars in the wild together with Sandra Cavalcanti in the Pantanal region for many years and found many interesting things and wrote great scientific papers on the subject see references.
Marianne's scientific paper
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Didelphis albiventris
White-eared skunk
The white-eared possum is a marsupial species belonging to the Didelphidae family, they are small to medium-sized animals weighing an average of 3kg. Neotropical marsupials occupy the most diverse niches and are well distributed, which is why they play an important role in ecosystems. This species moves by quadrupedalism, is terrestrial and arboreal, more specifically an arboreal walker, on horizontal trunks and branches climbs vertically by grasping.
The white-eared possum is a small solitary mammal with nocturnal habits. Females of this species have their gestation divided into two stages, one stage occurs in the animal's uterus, and the final stage occurs in the baby carrier, an external bag located in the mother's belly, where the last stage of development of the offspring takes place.
It is distributed throughout the eastern and midwestern portion of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, northern and central regions of Argentina and southern Bolivia. There are also reports from Colombia, Peru and Ecuador. Its main source of food are fruits, invertebrates, eggs, small vertebrates and occasionally flowers, nectar and tree gum. This species has a long, prehensile tail and may contain few hairs, invisible to the naked eye. They have a well-developed olfactory system, use communication by chemical substances that are captured by chemoreceptors located in the olfactory epithelium and in the nasal organ. These odours produced by the cutaneous glands combine as one of the processes of social communication.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Nasua nasua
Coati
The Coati belongs to the Procyonidae family, they are medium-sized good climbers, as they use trees to nest, rest, hunt or flee from danger. The main threats to procionids are habitat loss, caused by the disorganized expansion of cities, the replacement of natural areas by pastures and agricultural activities, fires and areas flooded by hydroelectric power plant reservoirs, road accidents and predatory hunting.
The Coati has a colour between gray and distinct shades of light brown, reddish, to dark brown. It has a long tail and muzzle, which stand out in front of the eyes and small ears. This species has diurnal, terrestrial and arboreal habits. They search the ground extensively for food, using their front legs to turn over stumps, rocks and explore holes in search of invertebrates, which make up their omnivorous diet. In addition to providing safety when climbing into trees, the long claws of the forelegs are used to “rip” decaying trunks in order to search for food.
The reproductive season follows the period of abundance of food, especially fruit. The coati has an elongated snout, which is an important survival structure, as its flexibility makes it possible to explore holes in trees, nests and burrows and, through its sense of smell, it can find small vertebrates. The fruits, which are also abundant in their diet, are consumed during the journeys over the trees, carried out with great skill.
Its geographic distribution extends from the east of the Andes, from Colombia and Venezuela, Guyanas, Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, to Argentina and Uruguay. In Brazil, they are found in almost all regions.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Eira barbara
Irara
Irara belongs to the Mustelidae family, the relationship between humans and mustelids has been going on for thousands of years. These animals were both bred to fight rodents and hunted for skin removal. In Europe, Asia and the USA, some species of mustelids are bred on farms for fur production. Furthermore, they are used in laboratory research, in the perfume industry and, very often, as pets.
Irara occurs from Mexico, to northern Argentina, and on the island of Trinidad. It is a forest dweller who makes nests in stumps or hollows in trees, in abandoned burrows of other animals or in tall grass. Can swim, run and climb well. It is active at night and, on cloudy days, also in the morning. It is often seen alone, in pairs or in small family groups. Likes to play, it was domesticated by the Indians and used to control rodents.
It has an elongated body, with a small head, long tail and short, thick and coarse coat. It has a dark color, which can vary to yellowish-white and white. Their eating habits are carnivorous, their diet consists mainly of rodents, but also includes rabbits, birds, small deer, honey and fruits.
Mustelids originated in North America and Europe and later came to South America. Today they are distributed in all regions of the world, except in the Caribbean islands, Madagascar, Sulawesi, Philippines, New Guinea, Australia, Nova Zealand, Antarctica and most of the Ocean Islands. Irara is among the six species of mustelids native to Brazil, inhabiting the entire territory and occupying terrestrial and aquatic habitats.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Euphractus sexcinctus
Armadillo peba
The name Tatu’pewa comes from Tupi and means “fat and flattened trunk”, in reference to its bodily characteristics.
It can measure around 40 cm in body length, with a tail that varies between 11 and 24 cm. It weighs between 3.6 and 6.5 kg. Its carapace is yellowish-brown and has 6 to 8 mobile bands, with long whitish hairs. Its head is cone-shaped, flattened at the top. It sees poorly, but it has a keen sense of smell. In the carapace it is possible to find 2 to 4 glands that release a substance with a characteristic odor, used both to demarcate territories (burrows) and to attract sexual partners.
It is mostly diurnal but can show nocturnal activity. It has solitary habits, but can be seen in small groups during the breeding season or when feeding on large carcasses. It is a kind of semi-fossorial habits, digs several holes in open fields that serve as burrows. The holes are, on average, 1.5 meters deep, with the bottom in a “u” shape, enough space for the animal to turn around inside the burrow.
Tapirus terrestris
Tapir
Tapirs are large mammals, weighing up to 300kg, and are mainly associated with forest environments. They are herbivorous animals and the composition of their diet is quite diverse, as they feed on a wide variety of plants and fruits. Tapirs have a very selective feeding strategy, based essentially on leaves and other plant materials, with a significant amount of fiber, but also fruits and seeds. They have an important ecological role, as they are seed dispersers in forest areas.
It has solitary habits, remains inactive and rests during the day, and goes out at night to feed. This species is the largest terrestrial mammal in Brazil, reaching up to 2m in length. It has short legs, a small tail, a large head and a snout in the shape of a mobile trunk, curved downwards. The tapir has a short, rough coat when adult and dark gray in color, with a small mane on the back of the neck, they are born with a lighter color and white stripes and spots. It has the behaviour of defecating only inside the water, and preferably always in the same point, this chosen place is called a latrine and is related to territorial demarcation.
This species is distributed from northern Argentina and southern Brazil, to Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana. Historically, the species was found throughout South America east of the Andes, from the north to the dry savannas of Argentina, passing through biomes such as southern fields, chaco, wetlands, cerrado, caatinga, Amazon forest and Atlantic forest.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Populations are currently extremely reduced and often limited to forest and wetland biomes. The species was regionally extinct in the caatinga and dry marsh biomes, also disappearing north of the Andes. Its distribution in the cerrado and the Atlantic forest has been reduced to small populations in protected areas, and wetland populations are declining.
Tapirs are chased by hunters in all regions where they are still present. Although hunting pressure is classified as a specific threat category, it should be considered that the fragmentation process facilitates the access of hunters to natural areas, which makes animals more sensitive and vulnerable. Despite the obvious impact caused by extensive agriculture and livestock, subsistence livestock also has a considerable impact on tapir populations in natural areas.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Mazama gouazoubira
Catingueiro deer
The brocket deer is a small species, has a less robust body than the brocket deer, with large ears in proportion to the head, with rounded tips. With a coloration that can vary from brown-gray with whitish throat and ventral region, sexually active males have horns, females are usually lighter. It can weigh between 11 and 30 kg, measuring between 91 and 104 centimeters in length and something between 35 and 65 centimeters in height.
Deer have a wide variety of scent glands, which act as a communication system between individuals of the same species. All deer have highly developed sense of smell, hearing and vision. They are extremely selective animals in their diet, they consume leaves, fruits and sprouts and need high quality food, they also feed on grasses in an early vegetative stage.
http://www.zoo.df.gov.br/veado-catingueiro/
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Tajacu pecari
Peccary
The collared peccary is a native species of the Brazilian fauna, which belongs to the Tayassuidae family. It plays an important role in the balance of the ecosystems in which they are found, they are efficient predators and seed dispersers, in addition to appearing in the list of the main species predated by jaguar and puma. They are found in a wide variety of habitats, from tropical rainforests to desert regions, occur from the southern US to northern Argentina, and in all biomes of Brazil.
They have social habits, live in groups composed of animals of different age groups and of both sexes, in the Brazilian cerrado, composing groups of 3 to 50 individuals. The main threats to the conservation of collared peccaries are hunting and fragmentation of natural habitats. They are classified as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered species in the state lists of Rio Grande do Sul, Paraná, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo.
Tayassuidae have a triangular head, proportionately large in relation to the body, and a short, compact neck. The eyes are small and their vision is poorly developed, in contrast to their sense of smell, which is well developed. The compact and cylindrical shape of the body is seen as a morphological adaptation that enables the agile displacement of these animals between dense vegetation. The coat on the back is made up of resistant bristles, which work as a thermoregulator and are an effective external protection feature, as it prevents skin lesions when the animal makes a space between the vegetation.
They are omnivorous animals, feeding on roots, fruits, seeds, invertebrates, small vertebrates, eggs and lizards. Collared peccaries have a specific role in the environments in which they live, as they are important predators and seed dispersers. Although they destroy most of the seeds consumed during ingestion and digestion, they are capable of dispersing small seeds.
Cubas, Zalmir Silvino, 1963 – Treaty on wild animals: veterinary medicine / Zalmir Silvino Cubas, Jean Carlos Ramos Silva, José Luiz Catão-Dias. 2. ed. São Paulo: Roca, 2014. 2470 p.: il.; 28 cm.
Sapajus libidinosus
Capuchin
The yellow capuchin monkey, or capuchin monkey belongs to the Cebidae family, and is a species native to Brazil. It is present in the states of Alagoas, Bahia, Ceará, Goiás, Maranhão, Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Piauí, Rio Grande do Norte, Tocantins, Pernambuco and Paraíba. They are exclusively arboreal animals, living in groups, composed of 6 to 20 individuals. They are omnivores, feeding on leaves, fruits, seeds, roots, eggs, small invertebrates, insects, stems, flowers, small birds and amphibians.
Due to its general eating habits and great behavioral and ecological flexibility, it lives in several different habitats, such as riparian forests, arboreal and shrub formations in the Cerrado and Caatinga biomes, and even mangroves. Capuchin monkeys have developed manual skills to solve problems related to obtaining food, have the ability to create tools (they use rocks like a hammer, for example), a strategy not very common in Neotropical primates.
Capuchin monkeys are robust animals, and are characterized by a tuft on the head. They have a brownish-yellow coloration, with the members of a dark color close to black, as well as the forelock, which has a thick shape. They have arms almost as long as their legs, opposable thumbs and great dexterity. They measure 46cm on average and live between 40 and 50 years. This species has a semi-prehensile tail, which gives them great agility, being used when searching for food.
The capuchin monkey population is declining, based on the loss and habitat decline, in the Cerrado, habitat loss is estimated at 50%. In addition to the high pressure of hunting, animals are common victims of illegal trade, such as pets. The main threats are fires, rural settlements, deforestation of vegetation by agriculture and livestock, urban expansion, disconnection and reduction of habitat and hunting.
https://www.icmbio.gov.br/portal/faunabrasileira/estado-de-conservacao/7274-mamiferos-sapajus-libidinosus-macaco-prego pubvet.com.br/uploads/c985c3a02f336395eea04e6446f6b541.pdf
WE ALSO SEE THESE OTHER SPECIES
Meet other species that live in our region and help us to protect them
Tyto furcata
Suindara
This owl has two prominent facial discs, shaped like a heart, that help carry sound into the outer ears. This is a unique structure, setting it apart from other owls in a special family, Tyton.
They are great rat catchers capable of catching a live mouse in absolute darkness guided solely by hearing. Like all owls, it eats small mammals, amphibians, reptiles and birds.
Cariama cristata
Red-legged seriema
Bird symbol of the Cerrado and the state of Minas. Its plumage is soft and loose, in shades of gray with a slight yellow tint. Its legs and neck are long, while its wings are short and rounded, reflecting its lifestyle. They are among the largest endemic land birds of the Neotropics (behind only rheas).
It feeds on snakes, which is why it is protected on rural properties. It is one of the few birds that have eyelashes (lashes). Its main threats are hunting, destruction and habitat fragmentation.
Sarcoramphus papa
King vulture
The species measures about 85 cm, its wingspan can reach almost 2m and its weight can vary between 3 to 5 kilos.
The king vulture does an excellent service to society by feeding on dead and dying animals. His name is king because he is the first to reach the food and uses his strong beak to rip open the hides of animals.
Amazona aestiva
Turquoise-fronted amazon or parrot
It is distinguished by a yellow head, with a blue-green forehead and cheek, dark nostrils, red shoulders outlined in yellow, a wing with a red part and dark blue extremes. Rest of body usually green, lighter between belly and tail. They feed on seeds, fruits, coconuts and nuts.
They have a great ability to learn to “speak”, thus, wild animal trafficking is the main threat to the species. They are increasingly adapted to urban environments, which makes them even more vulnerable to be captured by animal traffickers.
Ramphastos toco
Toco toucan
Toucans have the striking feature of having a huge orange beak with a black spot on the tip. Its plumage is black, except on the chest and base of the tail, which are white. Note also a bare orange skin around its eyes and eyelids, which are blue. The beak is orange-yellow and measures about 20 centimeters.
It is the only Brazilian ranfastid that frequently flies over open fields and wide rivers. It feeds on fruits, insects, eggs and can prey on other birds' offspring
Ara ararauna
Blue-and-yellow macaw
It is distinguished by a yellow head, with a blue-green on the forehead and cheek, dark nostrils, red shoulders outlined in yellow, a wing with dark blue extremities. Rest of body usually greenish blue, lighter between belly and tail. They feed on seeds, fruits, coconuts and nuts.
They have a great ability to learn to “speak”, thus, wild animal trafficking is the main threat to the species. They are increasingly adapted to urban environments, which makes them even more vulnerable to be captured by animal traffickers.
Rhea americana
Greater rhea
Largest species of bird in Brazil, the rhea can reach up to 1.40 meters. Males differ from females in having black chest and neck. In general the plumage is grayish brown.
The male of the species only vocalizes in the reproductive season, emitting deep and powerful vocalizations, then the male chooses the best territory to assemble the nest and to start his harem, usually the male chooses from 5 to 6 females. When the nest is full of eggs, the male expels all the females and hatches the eggs. They are not able to fly, but they can reach 80 kilometers when running on the ground.
Aratinga jandaya
Jandaya parakeet
It has a yellow head and neck. With orange spots near the eyes and base of the beak. The mantle, wings and rump (base of the tail) are green in colour. Most of the wings are green, but the ends of the wings are bluish. Chest and belly is intense orange color. They have a black beak and dark gray feet. Young have a yellow head and neck with green markings; the chest and belly pale orange.
They feed on seeds, fruits and nuts. Although silent while feeding, they are extremely noisy while flying, the flock vocalizes constantly and can be heard long before being seen. Its main threats are hunting and the destruction and fragmentation of its habitat.
Alouatta caraya
Black howler monkey
They weigh from 4 to 10 kg, with males being larger than females. Another difference between the sexes is in the colour of the coat, being black in males and yellowish in females.
These primates have a modified throat bone that enables them to make very loud vocalizations. These “roars” can be heard from great distances, being used for territorial demarcation and group union. This behaviour occurs mainly at dawn and dusk, with the chorus being initiated by the alpha male. Form groups of 3 to 20 individuals. Howler monkeys also have a habit called “geophagy”, which consists of ingesting mineral-rich clay to help digest the leaves and eliminate toxins from them, similarly to parrots and macaws.
Chrysocyon brachyurus
Maned wolf
It is the largest canid in South America, measuring up to 1.15 m and weighing between 20 and 30 kg. It has a small head in relation to the body, with large ears and a long muzzle. It is omnivorous.
Despite being called “wolf” in popular nomenclature, the maned wolf is a closer relative of foxes and the vine dog (Speothos venaticus). This species has an incredibly varied diet, consuming from insects, birds and small mammals to fruits such as the wolf (Solanum lycocarpum). The maned wolf is greatly threatened by habitat destruction, poaching and infectious diseases transmitted by domestic dogs, such as distemper. Road accidents are also a serious risk, with some populations losing considerable numbers of animals each year. During the 1960s, Brasília Zoo became one of the first institutions in the world to successfully reproduce this species in captivity.
Myrmecophaga tridactyla
Giant anteater
It is the largest known species of anteater, with a body measuring between 1 and 1.33 meters and weighing up to 45 kg. The head has an elongated snout, with small eyes and ears, and a protractile tongue that can reach 60 cm. It has a thick coat and body colour varies from gray to brown, being more elongated on the tail. This, in turn, usually swings when the animal runs, resembling a “flag” and being the origin of its popular name. It is an insectivore (termites, ants and small invertebrates).
The giant anteater is one of the three species of the family that occurs in Brazil, the other two being the small anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) and the anteater (Cyclopes didactylus). Soon after birth, the cub of the giant anteater usually climbs on the mother's back and is carried by the mother for 6 to 9 months of its life. The species is under great threat from illegal hunting, fires and, mainly, from the destruction and fragmentation of its habitat due to the advance of soya farms, cities and road construction. There are also records of animals indirectly poisoned by insecticides used to control termites and ants.
