The Los Angeles Zoo had a reason to celebrate as it welcomed a new addition to its family: the first southern tamandua, or lesser anteater, born in the zoo last month, August 28, according to a recent KTLA report. This clawsome climber came into the world as the first offspring of 8-year-old Lou and 6-year-old Micah, marking a significant milestone for the zoo.
The neonate represents the first time LA Zoo visitors can witness the development of this adorable species from such an early age. Mallory Peebles, senior animal keeper at the zoo, expressed her excitement about the baby tamandua's arrival, stating in a news release, "This is the first time LA Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to see the species as a neonate and observe its development over time. We are thrilled with this new addition to our zoo family and its arrival is a testament to the care and wellbeing provided by our entire team."
Zoo staff knew exactly when to expect Micah's little one, thanks to her closely monitored pregnancy. The 164-day gestation period came as no surprise, as zookeepers trained Micah to willingly position herself for ultrasound exams, ensuring updates on her health and the developing fetus, as highlighted by KTLA. This careful attention and preparation paid off, as Micah and her pup have been bonding and settling nicely in the habitat. Zoo officials report that Micah has been an attentive and caring mother.
Southern tamanduas, native to forests, shrublands, and savannas across several South American countries, such as Colombia, Venezuela, and Argentina, among others, depend on their sharp claws and prehensile tails to climb trees and search for ants, termites, bees, and honey, as reported by KTLA. These fascinating creatures use their 16-inch-long, spine-covered tongues to feast on these insects, as they don't have any teeth. As for their elusive search for ant or termite nests, southern tamandua dig small holes, waiting for insects to emerge before licking them up with their sticky, saliva-covered tongues.
These captivating tree-dwellers of the animal kingdom have not yet garnered much attention from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which lists the species of Least Concern. However, habitat loss caused by human activities in South America, including wildfires, deforestation, road construction, and traffic, threatens their survival, making the birth of this rare southern tamandua all the more important.
As the LA Zoo takes pride in its newborn southern tamandua, visitors can catch a glimpse of this charming creature and its parents at the nursery located next to the Winnick Family Children's Zoo.
