38. 
Nomes,--Latin: TJamandus 
Guatemalan: 80 colmenera 
English: Three-toed anteater 
Description.—-A lerge mammal with long, conical snout; long, tapering, prehensile tail; long, 
curved claws; close coarse pelage; and a contrasting color pattern of black and cream, The 
general body color isa cream or yellowish, with blacre patches around the eyes, and with the 
black of the belly extending up the sides, across the shoulders, and meeting across the lower 
back, 
Distinguishing characteristics.--Large size; long snout; long, curved claws; black and crean 
coloration, 
Measurements,--Adults average: total length, 1,140 mm; teil, 550 mm.; hind foot, 94 mm, 
General distritutiog.--Southern México and Guatemala, south to Paraguay. 
Distribution in Guatemala.--Now rather scarce in Guatemala but formerly occurred throughout 
the lowlands of both coasts, in Peten, and in the highlands up to 5,000 feet. Now scattered 
throughout the same territory, but most abundant in Peten, 
Habitat.--Forest regions, 
Habits.--The anteater spends part of its time on the ground and part in trees, desdendiny to 
the ground in search of ant hills, which it rips open with its long hooked claws, It reaches 
into the recesses of the ant nest with its long snout and longer tongue to lick up the ants 
and termites, which make up its main items of food, On the ground it walks on the “knuckles! 
of its forefeet, with the long claws curved up, but walks on the soles of ite hind feet, In 
trees it scratbles slowly over the branches, or progresses suspended beneath, sloth-fashion, 
using its tail as a fifth hand, It feeds mostly in the late evening or at night, but on 
occasions mey be encountered abroad at almost any hour. It sleeps rolled up in a ball in 
the crotch of a tree or in a hollow tree, 
Hunting.--It is a poor sportsman who shoots an anteater, for though it may make off at a 
surprising speed when startled on the ground, it has no defense or chance of escape from a 
gun. However, many are shot, simply because of their large size, and peculiar appearance, 
It is one of the most curious and interesting mammals of the Republic and is even now scarce 
in most parts, It should be afforded protection by law to prevent its extermination, 
Remarks,.--The Guatemalan race is mexicana. 
39. 
Names,-~Latin: Myrmecophaga tridactyla 
Guatemalan: Oso real 
English: Great anteater 
Description.--A large, curious looking mammal with an extremely long conical snout, small 
eyes and ears, long recurved claws, a long and bushy tail, and a peculiar color pattern, the 
rear half of the body and tail being blackish, the foreward half grayish, and with a black, 
white edged, band extending from the throat up over the shoulders and meeting on the lower 
back, The forefeet also are black. 
Distinguishing characteristics.—-Large size; very long, narrow snout; long, bushy tail. 
General distri tution.--Formerly from Guatemala south to Paraguay: now much restricted in range, 
.--Probably does not occur today in Guatemala, though it is report 
reg the Pacific coast region between San Jos@ and the border of Kl Salvador, 
Measurements.--Adults average: total length, 1,860 mm,; tail, 650 mm; hind foot, 135 om, 
Habitat.--Tropical forests and swamp regions, 
Habits,--Similar to those of the three-toed mteater (No. 38). 
Funting.--Because of its large size end peculiar appearance, the great anteater is persecuted 
by local hunters wherever it occurs. It is probable that it has already been exterminated 
from Guatemala, but, if it should be determined that any yet remain in the Republic, the 
species should immediately be extended complete protection under the law, 
Remarks.--Probably the Guatemalan race was centralis. 
WO, 
Names.- Latin: Dasypus novemcinctus 
Guatemalan: Armedo 
English‘ Nine-banded Armadillo . 
Description.--A medium sized mammal; the body armored with a bony carapace of circular mosaic 
plates, and 8 or 9 movable transverse rings across the middle of the back, Tail long and 
armored, forefeet with four toes, face armored, and ears close together, Coloration grayish 
brown, 
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