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

3. Anteaters Are Slow and Sluggish

The most enduring myth about anteaters is that they are slow, lazy animals hardly able to move around. Actually, anteaters are highly agile and, when needed, can move rather rapidly. Running at up to 30 miles per hour, giant anteaters are faster than many people. They can also easily cross rivers and streams and are rather good swimmers. Their keen claws and muscular legs help them to efficiently defend themselves against predators; they can even stand on their hind legs to employ their strong forearms for protection. Often covering several miles daily in quest of food, these creatures are also rather active. Whether it's grassland, forest, or savanna, their muscular bodies are well-adapted for both burrowing into bug nests and sprinting quickly across their habitat.