Early in the morning on September 27, female Giant Anteater
Zoe delivered a healthy baby at the Reid Park Zoo.  After allowing the first-time mom and her new
baby to spend some quiet time together, the two are now delighting crowds while
they are on exhibit every afternoon.

A naming contest among zoo fans resulted in the winning name
of Zola for the female baby. Her father’s name is Xander.

Baby Giant Anteaters, called pups, are carried on
their mothers’ backs for the first several months of life.  They become independent at around 10 months.

Giant Anteaters are native to South America, where they live
in a variety of habitats from grasslands to rain forests.  After breaking open ant and termite mounds
with their huge, curved claws, they collect the insects with their long, sticky
tongues. 

In parts of their South American range, Giant Anteaters are
abundant, while in other areas they have been completely eradicated.  Because of these regional extirpations, Giant
Anteaters are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. 

Photo Credit:  Reid Park Zoo