Do anteaters use their long noses to suck up ants?

Watching an anteater forage for ants or termites with its long snout certainly gives the impression that it is sucking the insects up into its nose.  But, contrary to appearances (and what cartoons may have led you to believe), anteaters actually eat with their mouths.

An anteater’s tongue is the longest of any animal, extending up to two feet to reach deep into the places where its prey hides.  The tongue can flick in and out of the mouth nearly three times per second and an anteater can consume over 30,000 ants and termites in a single day!

Anteaters have very poor sight, but their sense of smell is 40 times better than a human’s.  Their four-inch-long claws are also specialized for tearing into anthills or logs.

Bonus Fact #1: Anteaters walk on their fists with their claws curled up to protect them from being dulled by the ground.

Bonus Fact #2: Anteaters use their long snout like a snorkel when swimming.