by Edgard Herrera Scott and Jeremy Radachowsky
This specimen was recently recorded by the binational team from WCS Guatemala and Honduras in the flooded forests surrounding Brus Lagoon, in the Cultural Zone of the Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve.
The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), also called Winku Tara in the Miskito language, is a mammal native to Central and South America, mainly living in tropical forests, savannas, and swampy areas. This solitary animal can reach up to 2 meters in length and is a specialized insectivore, primarily feeding on ants and termites. It can consume up to 30,000 insects in a day, using its sticky tongue to capture them. It walks on its knuckles to protect its large claws, which it uses to dig into termite mounds and ant nests, as well as to defend itself from predators.
Honduras represents the northernmost range of this species, which is threatened by habitat destruction, primarily due to illegal cattle ranching. The studies currently being conducted by WCS are providing valuable data that will help design better conservation strategies for this iconic species, through efforts like the "#Zero Deforestation 2029" strategy implemented by the Government of Honduras.
Registration made through the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund.
We Stand for Wildlife
Juntos por la Vida Silvestre