The Giant Anteater (Myrcecophaga tridactyla), also known as the ant bear, is a large South American xenarthran mammal. It is available for adoption in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon (Xbox)
Description[]
The Giant Anteater is native to open grasslands ("llanos"), savannah habitats, deciduous forests, along with rainforests of south and central America, though their numbers have diminished considerably from the latter. As its name implies the Giant Anteater is the largest living species of anteater as it reaches a length of about 1.8-2.4 meters (6-8 feet) including the tail and weighs up to 40-63kg (88-140 pounds). Its long, shaggy fur has a characteristic large black stripe that radiates from beneath the snout out to mid-torso, this stripe is surrounded by a thin outline of white which also covers both front paws
The giant anteater spends most of its time foraging on the ground of open areas for its main prey; termites and ants. It uses its strong forepaws with three clawed fingers to dig them up, and its long sticky tongue to eat them.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The giant anteater is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and is available in the base game. It is not unlocked in freeform mode until December 1st.
Although they can be found in grasslands and savannahs in real life, The giant anteater is listed as a tropical rainforest animal that requires rainforest floor and dirt terrain in its habitat, along with plenty of foliage, they dislike having too much grass terrain in their exhibit. They are solitary animals that sleep in burrows.
Curiously, in Zoo Tycoon the anteater feeds on hay instead of its usual diet.
Zoo Tycoon (Xbox)[]
The giant anteater is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon (Xbox) and is available in the Ultimate Animal Collection. Despite it being a large animal, it is a mini-exhibit animal and can be housed in the Tropical Lawn mini-exhibit. It is available once the player reaches a Zoo fame of 18.
Other Games[]
Zoo Tycoon DS[]
The giant anteater is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon DS, where it functions identically to its PC counterpart.
Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game[]
The giant anteater is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon: The Board Game and is one of the twelve "Co-Species". As a co-species, it is adoptable during the fall months and can be exhibited with a compatible "main" species or on its own.
The giant anteater is classed as a Rainforest Carnivore and is notably the only animal classed as a carnivore that is not part of the order Carnivora. As a rainforest co-species, it is compatible with the Golden Lion Tamarin, Red-and-green Macaw, Red Ruffed Lemur and Tufted Capuchin. It is also a species of the Pantanal Matogrossense national park, alongside the red-and-green macaw, tufted capuchin and Jabiru.
Trivia[]
- The anteater in Zoo Tycoon feeds on hay instead of insects, likely because animal food options are limited in the base game. Interestingly, though Dinosaur Digs introduced an insectivore chow food, the anteater was not updated to feed on it.
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon (Xbox)[]
| Zoo Tycoon DS animals | |
|---|---|
| Standard Animals | African Buffalo • African Elephant • African Lion • African Warthog • American Bighorn Sheep • American Bison • Arctic Wolf • Bengal Tiger • Black Bear • Black Leopard • Black Rhinoceros • California Sea Lion • Cheetah • Chimpanzee • Clouded Leopard • Common Wildebeest • Dromedary Camel • Emperor Penguin • Gemsbok • Giant Anteater • Giant Panda • Giraffe • Gray Wolf • Greater Flamingo • Grizzly Bear • Hippopotamus • Ibex • Jaguar • Leopard • Lowland Gorilla • Mandrill • Markhor • Moose • Okapi • Olive Baboon • Ostrich • Plains Zebra • Polar Bear • Red Kangaroo • Saltwater Crocodile • Siberian Tiger • Snow Leopard • Spotted Hyena • Thomson's Gazelle • White Bengal Tiger |
| Unlockable Content | Asian Elephant • Kouprey • Onager • Orangutan • Unicorn |