The Tamandua
Meet the Tamandua: Costa Rica’s Tree-Dwelling Anteater
The tamandua is a medium-sized anteater with a long snout, sharp claws, and a distinctive coat pattern that often looks like it is wearing a black vest. Unlike the giant anteater of South America, the tamandua is built for climbing. It spends much of its time in the trees, using its strong prehensile tail and claws to forage for ants and termites. With its unusual appearance and quiet lifestyle, the tamandua is one of Costa Rica’s more mysterious mammals.
Key Facts
Size: 53–88 cm (21–35 inches) in body length, with a tail of 40–67 cm (16–26 inches)
Weight: 4–7 kg (9–16 pounds)
Lifespan: 7–12 years in the wild, up to 16 in captivity
Diet: Primarily ants and termites, using a long sticky tongue to extract them from nests
Activity: Mostly nocturnal, though sometimes active in the early morning or late afternoon
Cool Facts About Tamanduas
Tamanduas are perfectly designed for their insect-eating lifestyle. Their tongues can extend up to 40 cm (16 inches) and are coated in sticky saliva to pull insects out of tunnels and crevices. Despite their small size, their claws are strong enough to tear open termite mounds and defend themselves against predators.
Their tails are prehensile, meaning they can grip branches tightly and act almost like an extra limb. This allows tamanduas to forage high in the trees without falling.
Unlike most mammals, tamanduas have a very low body temperature, which helps them conserve energy while feeding on insects. They also have a unique musky odor, which they use as a defense to deter predators.
Habitat and Behavior
Tamanduas live in a variety of habitats in Costa Rica, including rainforests, dry forests, and mangroves. They divide their time between the ground and the canopy, but they are most often found climbing trees at night in search of ant nests.
They are solitary animals, except during mating season, and usually move quietly through the forest. Despite being slow movers, they can defend themselves well by standing on their hind legs, using their tail for balance, and striking with powerful claws.
Where to See Tamanduas in Costa Rica
Tamanduas are widespread but secretive, so sightings are often a special treat. Some of the best places to look for them include:
Corcovado National Park, one of the best places for rare mammal sightings
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, where night hikes sometimes reveal their quiet movements in the canopy
Tortuguero National Park, where tamanduas can sometimes be spotted foraging near the water
Guided tours make it easy to learn more about their habits and increase your chances of seeing them in the wild. If we do not provide the tour ourselves, you will see we have included links to other tour operators that offer sightings. We have personally been on these tours ourselves and enjoyed them! :)
