Giant anteaters are vulnerable South American mammals with highly specialized feeding ecology that creates unique challenges for zoo welfare management and enrichment.
Zoo giant anteater welfare centers on replicating the essential elements of their specialized insectivorous ecology. Artificial diet formulations must provide adequate nutrition while engaging natural feeding behavior — lapping tongue movements that consume vast quantities of small prey. Live insect feeding where possible, or specially formulated anteater diets delivered in ways requiring extended tongue work, satisfy behavioral needs. Exhibits should provide diverse substrates and mound-like structures that encourage foraging behavior and movement. Their large claws require appropriate substrate management. Social housing follows their solitary nature — individual housing except for breeding and mother-young pairs is appropriate. Road mortality in wild populations is addressed through wildlife crossing infrastructure in Brazilian conservation programs.