Zoo Boise announced the December 8 birth of a Giant Anteater pup.  The female pup is now starting to explore the outdoors with her mother, Gloria. Because Giant Anteaters are native to warmer climates, mother and pup have spent the last few months in their heated barn. The pup will stay with her mother until she is full grown at about two years old.

Photo Credit:  Monte Stiles

During their first year of life, Giant Anteater pups will spend much of their time riding on their mothers’ backs. Born with full coats of fur, the pups are able to blend in with their mothers’ coats to avoid predation.

Giant Anteaters are native to Central and South America.  They have no teeth, but use their long, sticky tongues to gather insects – often ants – by the thousands.  Giant Anteaters are listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.