Our anteater friends

We are always very excited when we catch sight of a giant anteater, but at the moment it is Spring, and rising temperatures and humidity are making it harder to see these curious looking creatures. The reason for this is that anteaters have not evolved an efficient system for cooling down, and so if it is too hot for them, they have no choice but to remain in the cooler shade of the forest, making them much harder to spot. As temperatures drop in the autumn and winter months (May-August), it becomes easier to see anteaters in the open. The photo below shows an anteater in the open with its young hitching a ride on its back...


And here it is taking its first steps on terra firme, as well as negociating its first ant's nest...