The Giant Anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is rarely seen in the wild, unlike evidence of its activities,
where it has ripped open red forest clay—using its powerful front claws—in search of food. Of course, it
eats only ants. A long, sticky tongue extends deep into the tunnels of ant nests. It has no teeth nor, in fact,
jaws at all. The upper and lower jaws are fused to make a long tube. Hence they belong to a uniquely South
American group of animals, the Edentates, which means "no teeth" (Sloths and armadillos are in the same group.)
Fine dense hairs the texture of velvet prevent ants from biting the snout. Few predators attack these animals
which defend themselves with their front claws.
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