Beardsley Zoo Confirm Giant Anteater Pup is a Girl

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: December 17, 2021 12:43 am

The giant anteater pup rides around on moms back at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Photo Credit: Jack Bradley Photography

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo have verified that their giant anteater pup born on June 15th 2021 is a girl. The zoo had to wait on verification from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Anteater Advisory Group to learn the pups gender.

Unlike most species of mammal it is difficult to determine the gender of a giant anteater using their body size, color and external genitalia.

It is exciting news for the giant anteater population in North America with the population heavily skewed towards males rather than females.

“We couldn’t be happier that our Giant anteater baby is a girl, important for the continuation of this vulnerable species,” explained Zoo Director Gregg Dancho. “We look forward to offering an opportunity to vote on her name in the near future.”

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The infant is the fourth for mother Pana and the third for father E.O. The pair have lived in Connecticut since May 2015 when they moved from Palm Beach Zoo and welcomed their first pup together in 2016.

Their first offspring, Mochilla lives at Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana and the second, Tupi moved to Nashville Zoo in Tennessee.

Guests can see the giant anteater family in the Pampas Plains Habitat. This area highlights species found in the Pampas region which covers parts of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil.

Learn more about Giant Anteaters here – Giant Anteater Fact File | The Animal Facts

Learn more about Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo on their website – Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo