All Animals

Animal Guide

Giant Anteater

62 destinations · 27 states

Native Range
Central and South America

Giant anteaters have an unusual shape that becomes even more interesting when you see one moving. Their long, narrow snout stays close to the ground as they search for ants and termites, while a huge bushy tail can rise behind them like a plume. At a zoo or wildlife destination, watch the nose and front feet during feeding. Powerful claws can tear into insect nests, then a long, sticky tongue flicks rapidly in and out to collect the insects. The tongue can extend well beyond the mouth, making feeding time especially fun to watch. Giant anteaters also walk on their knuckles, keeping those large claws protected while moving across the ground. They have poor eyesight but an excellent sense of smell, so you'll often see one stopping to sniff before changing direction. Native to grasslands, forests, and wetlands across much of Central and South America, they spend much of their time searching for food. Their slow-looking walk hides a remarkably specialized feeding routine.

Giant Anteater

Where to see Giant Anteater

62 destinations across 27 states

62 destinations

Abilene Zoo

Abilene, TX

Alexandria Zoological Park

Alexandria, LA

Ararat Ridge Zoo

Williamstown, KY

Audubon Zoo

New Orleans, LA

Bergen County Zoo

Paramus, NJ

Birmingham Zoo

Birmingham, AL

Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park

Alto, MI

Brevard Zoo

Melbourne, FL

Brights Zoo

Limestone, TN

Bronx Zoo

Bronx, NY

Brookfield Zoo

Riverside, IL

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay

Tampa, FL

Caldwell Zoo

Tyler, TX

Central Coast Zoo

Atascadero, CA

Chattanooga Zoo

Chattanooga, TN

Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

Cleveland, OH

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo

Bridgeport, CT

Dallas Zoo

Dallas, TX

Detroit Zoo

Royal Oak, MI

Disney's Animal Kingdom

Lake Buena Vista, FL

Franklin Park Zoo

Boston, MA

Gulf Breeze Zoo

Gulf Breeze, FL

Happy Hollow Park & Zoo

San Jose, CA

Hattiesburg Zoo

Hattiesburg, MS

Hemker Park & Zoo

Freeport, MN

Houston Zoo

Houston, TX

Jacksonville Zoo & Botanical Gardens

Jacksonville, FL

Keystone Safari

Grove City, PA

Lee Richardson Zoo

Garden City, KS

Lincoln Children's Zoo

Lincoln, NE

Little Rock Zoo

Little Rock, AR

Los Angeles Zoo

Los Angeles, CA

Mesker Park Zoo

Evansville, IN

Metro Richmond Zoo

Moseley, VA

Miller Park Zoo

Bloomington, IL

Montgomery Zoo

Montgomery, AL

Naples Zoo at Caribbean Gardens

Naples, FL

Nashville Zoo at Grassmere

Nashville, TN

Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society

West Palm Beach, FL

Panaewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens

Hilo, HI

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix, AZ

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Pittsburgh, PA

Potawatomi Zoo

South Bend, IN

Potter Park Zoo

Lansing, MI

Reid Park Zoo

Tucson, AZ

Roger Williams Park Zoo

Providence, RI

Rolling Hills Zoo

Salina, KS

Saint Louis Zoo

St. Louis, MO

San Antonio Zoo

San Antonio, TX

San Diego Zoo

San Diego, CA

San Francisco Zoo

San Francisco, CA

Santa Ana Zoo

Santa Ana, CA

Sedgwick County Zoo

Wichita, KS

Sunset Zoo

Manhattan, KS

Tanganyika Wildlife Park

Goddard, KS

The Buffalo Zoo

Buffalo, NY

The Dallas World Aquarium

Dallas, TX

The Wild Animal Park

Chittenango, NY

Virginia Safari Park

Natural Bridge, VA

Wildlife World Zoo

Litchfield Park, AZ

Zoo Boise

Boise, ID

Zoo Miami

Miami, FL

Your ZooHopper Passport

Turn your wildlife adventures into a Passport

Keep track of the zoos, aquariums, safari parks, and wildlife destinations you've visited—and save the places you want to explore next.

  • Remember every visit
  • Build your wishlist
  • Collect Passport Stamps
  • Share photos & contribute
Create Your Passport

Dan's Passport

Places
12
States
6
Wishlist
9

Passport stamps

Recently visited

  • Bronx ZooBronx, NY
  • Georgia AquariumAtlanta, GA
  • San Diego Zoo Safari ParkEscondido, CA

MY WISHLIST

Monterey Bay AquariumMonterey, CA