Emily Chan
Silky anteaters consume up to 5,000 ants per day with the help of their claws and sticky tongues. Like all anteaters, they do not have any teeth.
Scientists think anteaters lost their teeth over millions of years because they ate soft insects that didn’t require strong teeth to chew.
Currently, the silky anteater is classified as “Least Concern” on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Threats to the animal include habitat loss and naturally low reproductive rates.
Silky anteaters breed twice a year and only give birth to one offspring at a time, limiting how quickly their numbers can bounce back. In some areas, they are even captured as pets. The anteater does not usually survive long in captivity.
All anteater species are important in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems by controlling ant and termite populations.
They prevent potential damage to vegetation and crops, and their unique digging behavior helps aerate the soil, enhancing soil health.
