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

6. All Anteaters Are Giant

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Although the gigantic anteater is maybe the most well-known species, it is false to believe all anteaters are big. Anteaters really come in four different species, with very different sizes. For example, the silky anteater weights less than a pound and is barely the size of a squirrel. Though somewhat smaller than their enormous siblings, the northern and southern tamanduas are medium-sized species. With the lesser species mostly arboreal—that is, tree-dwelling—while the giant anteater is terrestrial, every species has evolved to occupy different ecological niche. These size variations let several anteater species survive in the same regions without directly vying for resources. Each species is especially suited to its particular way of existence since the differences in size influence their hunting methods, favored prey, and defensive capacity.