Zoo database

Giant anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

Natural diet Giant anteater

Giant anteaters are insectivores that mainly consume ants and termites. They have short feeding periods at many locations. Besides insects, they can also opportunistically consume soft-bodied grubs, eggs and fruits.

Insects
Insects

Feeding advice Giant anteater

Feed quantity per day

1-3%

Sample percentage calculation

If an animal weighs 35 kg and eats 2% of its body weight, it will get
 
35 x 0,02 = 0,7 kg feed in total per day

Feed composition

20% Insects and other invertebrates
80% Concentrates

Proportions (fresh product)

0,2 x 0,7 kg = 140 g insects and other invertebrates
0,8 x 0,7 kg = 560 g concentrates

Diet Suggestions

Recommended

Variety of small insects
Live insects

In moderation

Peat (only sifted)

Not recommended

Fruits
Vegetables

Common diseases

An unbalanced diet may result in one of these more commonly occurring diseases/conditions:

  • Hypervitaminosis D
  • Extensive hyperostosis of the thoracic
  • Rear limb paresis
  • Vitamin K deficiency
  • Lumbar
  • Flaccid paralysis
  • Coccygeal vertebrae

Additional advice

  • Divide the “Feed quantity per day” over at least two feeding moments per day.
  • Supplement concentrates to ensure adequate vitamins and minerals.
  • Feed small insects as larger ones might cause blockages.
  • Fruits and vegetables with long fiber structures can injure the tongue and cause choking.
  • Stimulate foraging behaviour by feeding live insects or placing insects inside of rotten logs (read more about feed enrichment and foraging behaviour).