Cincinnati Zoo welcomes baby tamandua, a long-snouted mammal that eats ants
CINCINNATI ZOO VIA AP
This photo provided by the Cincinnati Zoo shows a baby tamandua. Zoo officials announced that the pup was born to first-time mother Isla on Dec. 20. They say the baby tamandua needs to develop and won’t make its public debut for another couple months.
CINCINNATI >> The Cincinnati Zoo has welcomed a baby tamandua.
Zoo officials announced on Christmas Eve that the pup was born to first-time mother Isla on Dec. 20. They say the baby tamandua needs to develop and won’t make its public debut for another couple months.
The tamandua is a type of anteater, smaller than its more well-known relative. Experts say the long-snouted mammals can eat up to 9,000 ants in a day.
Interpretive Animal Keeper Colleen Lawrence says the zoo had performed weekly ultrasounds on Isla since August. Lawrence says tamanduas can be pregnant for up 190 days.
Zoo spokeswoman Michelle Curley says the caretakers will name the baby tamandua after they learn the sex of the animal.
