Despite their unique and somewhat peculiar appearance, anteaters remain one of the least known animals in the world. They belong to the family Myrmecophagidae, which means “ant-eating” in Greek. Here are 10 surprising facts you probably never knew about anteaters.

1. Anteaters have no teeth.
Although they have a long tongue that can grow up to 24 inches, they have no teeth in their mouth. They use their tongue to stick to ants and termites and then swallow them whole.

2. Anteaters are excellent climbers.
Anteaters have strong forearms and curved claws that help them climb trees like sloths. They spend a significant amount of their time in trees, sleeping and feeding on ants and termites.

3. Their tongues are as long as their body.
The tongue of an anteater is its most prominent feature, and it can extend up to 2 feet in length. This feature helps them reach the ants and termites that hide deep in the ground.

4. Anteaters can eat up to 30,000 ants and termites in a day.
Anteaters have a high metabolism, which means they need to eat a lot to sustain themselves. They can eat up to 30,000 ants and termites each day, which is equivalent to their body weight.

5. They have no predators.
Anteaters do not have many natural predators. Their thick skin and long claws protect them from predators, including jaguars and pumas.

6. Anteaters can swim.
Anteaters are also good swimmers, and they use their long snouts as a snorkel when they swim underwater.

7. They have poor eyesight.
Despite their keen sense of smell, anteaters have poor eyesight, and they rely on their senses of smell and hearing to locate food and protect themselves from danger.

8. Anteaters are solitary animals.
Anteaters are solitary animals and only come together during mating season. They prefer to stay by themselves and are not social animals.

9. Anteaters are excellent diggers.
Anteaters have strong forearms and powerful claws that enable them to dig through the hard soil to find ants and termites.

10. They have a slow metabolism.
Anteaters have a slow metabolism, which means they do not need to eat frequently. They can go for up to two weeks without eating and are known for their low energy levels.

In conclusion, anteaters are fascinating creatures that have a lot of unique characteristics. From their long tongue to their excellent climbing abilities, they remain one of the least known and most misunderstood animals in the world. So, the next time you come across an anteater, don’t be afraid to get up close and observe its fascinating features.