Myrmecophagidae

E721108

Myrmecophagidae is the biological family of mammals commonly known as true anteaters, characterized by their elongated snouts and specialized tongues for feeding on ants and termites.

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Statements (43)

Predicate Object
instanceOf biological family
taxon
activityPattern diurnal in some species
nocturnal in some species
bodyCovering fur
characteristic edentulous or reduced dentition
elongated snout
specialized long tongue
class Mammalia
commonName true anteaters
defense powerful forelimb claws
describedAs family of anteaters
diet ants
termites
feedingBehavior myrmecophagy
foragingMethod breaking insect nests with strong claws
habitat grasslands
savannas
tropical forests
hasOrgan prehensile tail in some species
includesTaxon Cyclopes didactylus NERFINISHED
Myrmecophaga tridactyla NERFINISHED
Tamandua mexicana NERFINISHED
Tamandua tetradactyla NERFINISHED
kingdom Animalia
limbStructure digitigrade forelimbs with large claws
locomotion arboreal in some genera
terrestrial
nativeTo Central America
South America
parts of Mexico
order Pilosa NERFINISHED
phylum Chordata
reproduction viviparous
respiration lungs
scientificNameAuthorship Myrmecophagidae Gray, 1825 (attributed) NERFINISHED
sensoryAdaptation well-developed sense of smell
socialBehavior mostly solitary
suborder Vermilingua
taxonRank family
thermoregulation endothermic
tongueAdaptation extremely protrusible tongue
sticky saliva

Referenced by (1)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Xenarthra hasLivingFamilies Myrmecophagidae