Giant anteaters are highly specialised insectivores native to Central and South American grasslands and forests. Their dietary and behavioural specialisations create unique welfare challenges in zoo settings that require dedicated management innovation.
The foraging motivation of giant anteaters is extremely strong but nearly impossible to satisfy in captivity at the scale of wild behaviour — traveling 9 km daily visiting hundreds of mounds is not replicable in any zoo enclosure. Providing scatter-fed insectivore mix that requires licking from multiple stations extends foraging time and partially satisfies the motivational system. Olfactory enrichment with ant colony substrate, varied foraging substrates, and rotating feeding stations across large enclosures approximates natural foraging effort. Temperature management is critical given their low body temperature. Their distinctive slow foraging behaviour and striking appearance make them excellent ambassador species for South American savannah conservation when their welfare needs are adequately met.