Volume 35, Plate XXII / Mammalia (Mammals)

Tamandua or Great Anteater

Myrmecophaga jubata

Nearly five feet long with four front toes and five behind, this anteater carries a long brushy tail, fringed above and below, often held like an umbrella, its coarse greyish brown hair crossed by a broad black band edged with white passing obliquely from breast to shoulder. Said to match the Jaguar, it is protected by its tough hide and wields cutting claws of great force, as shown by termite nests torn open.