Northern tamandua (Tamandua mexicana)

The northern tamandua is a species of tamandua, an anteater in the family Myrmecophagidae. They live in tropical and subtropical forests from southern Mexico, through Central America, and to the edge of the northern Andes.The northern tamandua is a medium-sized anteater with a prehensile tail, small eyes and ears, and a long snout. Like other anteaters, the northern tamandua is highly adapted to its unusual diet. The tongue is long, extensible, and covered in sticky saliva able to pick up ants and termites. In addition to its diet, and unlike the giant anteater, the northern tamandua is also adapted to an arboreal lifestyle. The muscles of the toes and the presence of a tough pad on the palms makes the forefeet prehensile, enabling them to grip onto projections as it climbs. Northern tamanduas are mainly nocturnal, but are also often active during the day, and spend only around 40% of their time in the trees. If provoked, they can prop themselves up on their hind legs and tails using a tree or rock for support, and lash out with their claws.

photo credits: Katja Schulz, José R., Dirk van der Made