Zoo database

Giant anteater

Myrmecophaga tridactyla

Natural diet Giant anteater

Insects

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.

Feeding advice Giant anteater

Feed quantity per day

1-3% of body weight

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

In moderation

Peat (only sifted)

Not recommended

Fruits
Vegetables

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).

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

Feed quantity per day

Sample percentage calculation

Feed composition

Proportions (fresh product)

DK Insectivore diet

Mealworms bulk

Buffalo worms bulk

Michiel Derks

Director Petfood & Zoos