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Central Park Zoo News
Pleased To Meet’ya, Tamandua
What’s that nosing around in the Central Park Zoo’s Rainforest? A koala? Sloth? Teddy bear?
With his big, round ears, snowy fur, and long snout with a tiny, toothless mouth, Pablo the tamandua certainly stands out. In the Tupi and Portuguese languages of Brazil, “tamandua” means “anteater.” In English, “lesser anteater” distinguishes Pablo’s petite kind from the giant anteaters.
Tamanduas come from the Amazon basin and wet and dry forests of northern South America. These solitary, nocturnal animals spend most of their day asleep in tree hollows. They are rarely found on the ground, where predators lurk. Habitat loss has caused tamandua populations to decline in some areas, as settlers move into their range.
So, how does its funny shape help a tamandua survive? It uses its prehensile tail and big claws to climb and balance on branches. The long tail anchors the mammal to the trees while it forages for termites or ants. And a tamandua’s long snout and exceptionally large tongue enable it to dig into holes and fish out tasty snacks.
Ten-year-old Pablo hails from the Prospect Park Zoo. You can visit him on the upper level of the Rainforest, also home to golden lion tamarins, poison dart frogs, and an Amazon tree boa. Although an anteater usually loves ants, Pablo’s favorite treat happens to be wax worms. As enrichment, his keepers sometimes hide the worms in tall canisters—a fun challenge for a big nose to snuff out.
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