Rare Southern Tamandua Born at Buffalo Zoo

A group of Southern Tamanduas was
imported to the United States last August as part of an effort to bolster the
population in US zoos. A pair named
Olive and Brutus were placed at the Buffalo Zoo.

Not much is known about the
reproductive behaviors of this species, but Olive and Brutus had their first
pup on April 7. The male baby, named Otis, is strong,
alert and very vocal.

Photo Credit: Kelly Brown

Zoo keepers report that Olive is
a very attentive mother and though she is protective of her baby, she is calm
around her keepers. Every morning, the baby can be seen
clinging onto his mom’s back as she makes her way down to the feeding pans for
her breakfast. He has no problem letting mom know when she is not by his side!

Southern
Tamanduas are native to much of South America, but they are becoming rare. These ant- and termite-eating mammals are
expert diggers, and are able to extract insects with their long tongues.