Anteater

Anteaters (Vermilingua) are a suborder of mammals most closely related to the armadillos, but are commonly known for eating insects, including (for example) ants and termites. They range from about the size of a large rat to about the size of an average sized American black bear, depending on a species. All anteaters have elongated snouts equipped with a thin tongue that can be extended to a length greater than the length of the head; their tube-shaped mouths have lips but no teeth. They use their large, curved foreclaws to tear open ant and termite mounds and/or for defense, while their dense and long fur protects them from attacks from the insects. Many species except the more terrestrial species, including the giant anteater, have a long prehensile tail. Some species, such as the giant anteater, are threatened to extinction due to habitat loss, but many species are listed as Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, their natural wide ranges, and/or their tolerance to most of human activities, including being able to adapt to live in the cities and suburb.