Key Identification Features
- Most of its body is covered in pale yellow fur, with a distinctive black fur patch covering the flanks, back, and shoulders that roughly resembles the shape of a vest.
- Unlike the northern tamandua, which always has the distinct black vest pattern, southern tamanduas vary greatly in appearance across their range.
- The two species are more reliably distinguished by differences in size, ear length, skull shape, and the number of tail vertebrae.
- The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla Linnaeus, 1758) can be identified by its large size, long narrow muzzle, and long bushy tail.
For instant identification in the field, use the iNature app — AI-powered, works offline.
