Definition

1. Noun:
   • A mammal that feeds primarily on ants and termites: "Anteater" is the common name for several unrelated mammal species whose diet consists mainly of ants and termites. They typically have long snouts, sticky tongues, and strong claws for breaking into insect nests.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The giant anteater uses its powerful front claws to tear open termite mounds.
  • We saw an echidna, a spiny anteater, during our hike in Australia.
  • The pangolin is sometimes called a scaly anteater.

Advanced Usage

• "To work like an anteater": This informal phrase is occasionally used to describe someone working diligently or obsessively on a single, detailed task, akin to how an anteater methodically consumes insects.
  • He's been working like an anteater on that financial report all week.

Variants and Related Words

• Aardvark (n): A nocturnal, burrowing African mammal () that feeds on ants and termites. It is often referred to as an anteater.
• Echidna (n): Also known as the spiny anteater, a monotreme mammal native to Australia and New Guinea.
• Pangolin (n): Also known as the scaly anteater, a toothless mammal covered in keratin scales, native to Africa and Asia.
• Myrmecophagous (adj): An adjective meaning "feeding on ants." (e.g., )

Synonyms

• Ant bear: A common name for the giant anteater ().
• Myrmecophage: A formal, scientific term for an ant-eating animal.

Notes on Different Meanings

The term "anteater" does not refer to a single taxonomic family. It is a common name applied to mammals from different orders that share a similar diet and some physical adaptations. The primary meanings include: 1. The true anteaters (Vermilingua): Toothless mammals from Central and South America (e.g., the giant anteater, silky anteater). 2. Other mammals with similar diets: This includes the aardvark (Africa), the echidna (Australia/New Guinea), the pangolin (Africa/Asia), and the numbat (a small Australian marsupial).

Noun

1. a burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to Australia
2. a burrowing monotreme mammal covered with spines and having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites; native to New Guinea
3. small Australian marsupial having long snout and strong claws for feeding on termites; nearly extinct
4. nocturnal burrowing mammal of the grasslands of Africa that feeds on termites; sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata
5. any of several tropical American mammals of the family Myrmecophagidae which lack teeth and feed on ants and termites
6. toothless mammal of southern Africa and Asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termites