TAMANDUA ANT-EATER LITTLE ANT-EATER 155 



THE TAMANDUA ANT-EATER 



( Tamandua tetradactyld) 



" TAMANDUA " appears to be a native name for the Ant-eaters generally, 

 but here it is usually appropriated to a rather small species, which 

 also inhabits tropical America, but does not encroach on the domain 

 of the large one, as it is a climber, and keeps mostly to the trees. 



The Tamandua, which is about as big as an ordinary Cat, is 

 sufficiently like the Great Ant-eater to be recognisable at a glance as 

 a near relative of that most eccentric-looking beast, and its feet are 

 similarly formed. Its muzzle, however, is of only moderate length, 

 and its tail very different, being devoid of long hair, and indeed bare 

 towards the end ; besides which, it is prehensile. 



The limbs are shorter than in the big ground Ant-eater, and though 

 the beast walks on its front knuckles in the same way, its gait is 

 awkward and straddling, for it is only really at home in the branches. 

 The method of defence is much the same as in the large species a 

 clutching inward stroke with the well-armed fore-paws. In colour this 

 species is very different from the large kind ; it presents much variation, 

 but, broadly speaking, the general hue is straw-colour, with the flanks 

 covered by a broad black patch along each side. The coat is short and 

 close throughout. This Ant-eater feeds on those Ants and Termites 

 which make their nests in trees ; it will live in captivity, but is not 

 so common in that condition as its larger and more sensational- 

 looking relative. 



THE LITTLE ANT-EATER 



(Cycloturus didactylus) 



THIS, the only other species of the Ant-eater family, is more different 

 from the other two even than these are from each other, and is the 

 most thoroughly adapted for a life in the trees. It is quite a small 

 creature, only about as large as a Rat, and is covered with soft straw- 

 yellow fur. The tail is very long and naked below, and is strongly 

 prehensile. The muzzle is quite short, but bent downwards in a way 

 almost unique among animals. The feet differ greatly from those of 



