Giant anteaters are fascinating but specialized mammals with dietary needs, temperature requirements, and behavioral traits that present unique challenges to zoo husbandry.
Giant anteater welfare in captivity hinges on meeting their highly specialized dietary needs. Providing 35,000 live insects daily is impractical in zoo settings — facilities instead use specially formulated insectivore diets based on ground insects, eggs, and nutritional supplements. Diet formulation errors have historically caused nutritional deficiencies affecting coat condition, immune function, and longevity. Temperature management is critical: giant anteaters chill rapidly below 20°C. Exhibit design should provide foraging opportunities — hiding food in substrate or enrichment devices satisfies the foraging drive even without live insects. They are largely solitary and stressed by close contact with other anteaters outside breeding contexts. Their powerful defensive claws can inflict serious injuries on keepers — positive reinforcement training for routine procedures is essential.