310 



CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



The white ants, or termites, so abundant in Brazil, constitute its chief food. When the creature 

 meets with one of the tumuli constructed by these insects, it immediately pulls the fabric down with 

 its large, strong claws, and, when the ants are thus exposed, its long, slender tongue is thrust out to 

 collect them. The movements of the tongue, alternately protruded and retracted, are so rapid, that it 

 is not surprising that so large an animal should bo able to satiate itself with such minute insects. 

 With instinctive economy, however, it does not destroy more than it wants. When it finds the ants 

 diminished on the surface, and each one seeks to escape in the numerous galleries of the ruined edifice, it 

 uses its left foot to hold some large lumps of the nest, while with its right it leisurely pulls them 

 in pieces. With the insects it swallows a considerable quantity of the material of which the nests are 

 constructed. 



The Great Ant-Eater is found in all the warm and tropical parts of South America, from Colombia 

 to Paraguay, and from the shores of the Atlantic to the foot of the Andes. He prefers the low, 

 swampy savannahs, along the banks of rivers and stagnant ponds, and frequents the humid forests, but 

 does not, as Buffon asserted, climb trees. Those who encounter him in the woods or plains, may 

 drive him before them by merely pushing him with a stick but, if pressed too hard, he becomes 



THE GREAT ANT-EATER. 



obstinate, sits up on his hind quarters, like a bear, and defends himself with his powerful claws. His 

 usual, and, indeed, only mode of assault, is, bear-like, by hugging his adversary ; but his instinct 

 is by no means equal to his strength, and hence stories told of his great exploits are manifestly 

 untrue. 



Dr. Schomburgk domesticated a female ant-eater, which he found able to climb with great facility, 

 and also to take up objects with its paws. It ate beef, and even fish, cut small. When not asleep, it 

 rested on its haunches, but in feeding kneeled, as goats 'and sheep often do. Its height was three 

 feet ; the length of the head, one foot three inches ; of the back, three feet seven inches ; of the tail, 

 three feet six inches. Other particulars he thus gives i 



"It appeared to be of a very cold nature; not only the extremities, but the whole body felt 

 cold to the touch, although we kept it wrapped up in a blanket. It preferred, however, to be 

 nestled and to be tajteii up, and, on putting it down, it emitted a whining, but not unpleasant, 

 sound ; when it did not succeed in attracting attention, and was not taken up again, the whining 

 sound was raised to a harsh and grating noise. In following a person, it directed its course 

 more by the smell than by sight, and carried its snout close to the ground. Ifsit found itself at 

 fault, it wheeled round at right angles upon the hind legs, and sniffed the air in all directions 



