11 Common Misconceptions About Anteaters (And You Probably Believed #7!)

2. Anteaters Are Related to Armadillos and Pangolins

Because of their similar looks and eating habits, some believe anteaters are closely related to armadillos and pangolins. Still, this cannot be much different from the reality. Although anteaters and armadillos fall under the same superorder Xenarthra, pangolins have no relationship whatsoever to either species. Actually belonging to the Pholidota order and more closely linked to carnivores, pangolins These creatures' identical looks and actions are a prime illustration of convergent evolution—that is, the separate development of similar traits resulting from environmental adaptation for different species. Their similar traits—long snouts, specialized diets, and defense mechanisms—have helped to maintain this myth by means of which Knowing these evolutionary links allows us to grasp how comparable features might develop in different species from somewhat different evolutionary backgrounds.