Giant Anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

The Giant Anteater is currently the most endangered mammal in Central America. They have already become extinct in Guatemala, El Salvador, Belize and Uruguay. Less than 5000 are believed to remain. The Giant Anteater faces threats of habitat loss with land being taken over for urban or agricultural development. Anteaters move slowly, and are related to sloths, meaning natural grassland fires leave them injured and they are unable to escape. They are almost blind, and rely on their strong sense of smell to navigate. Their lack of speed and weak eyesight also means they are at risk of road traffic accidents. Poachers target Giant Anteaters, for example in Bolivia, they are hunted for entertainment. Their meat is eaten and their skin is made into leather goods, and in Venezuela they are targeted for their claws. Anteaters are vital to control insect numbers, but their strong laws also allow them to dig for water when there are no sources, creating watering holes for other species.