The Myrmecophagidae are a family of anteaters, the name being derived from the Ancient Greek words for `ant` and `eat` (Myrmeco- and phagos). Myrmecophagids are native to Central and South America, from southern Mexico to northern Argentina. Two genera and three species are in the family, consisting of the giant anteater, and the tamanduas. Th...
[n] - New World anteaters
Myrmecophagidae Anteaters; family of Neotropical insectivorous mammals (Edentata) containing a single terrestrial, and two mainly arboreal, species; head elongate, oral region tubular; teeth absent, tongue elongate, protrusible and sticky; forelimbs powerful with large claws for breaking open nests of ants and termites.
family Myrmecophagidae noun New World anteaters