Anteater vs. Tapir — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 1, 2024
Anteaters specialize in eating ants and termites using their long tongues, while tapirs are herbivores with prehensile snouts that browse on vegetation.
Difference Between Anteater and Tapir
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Anteaters are adapted to a diet primarily of ants and termites, which they access with their long, sticky tongues. Tapirs, on the other hand, are herbivorous and use their flexible, prehensile snouts to forage for leaves, fruits, and branches.
The body structure of anteaters is specialized with elongated snouts and strong claws for breaking into ant hills and termite mounds, whereas tapirs have stout bodies and short legs suitable for dense forests and sometimes water.
Anteaters are found in a variety of habitats ranging from dry savannas to rainforests primarily in Central and South America. Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of Central and South America and Southeast Asia, showcasing a broader geographical spread.
Reproductive behaviors also differ; anteaters are solitary creatures except during mating, whereas tapirs may form small family groups and have more complex social interactions.
In terms of conservation, many species of anteaters are threatened by habitat destruction and hunting. Tapirs face similar threats, but their larger size makes them more vulnerable to hunting and habitat fragmentation.
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Comparison Chart
Diet
Insectivorous (ants and termites)
Herbivorous (leaves, fruits, branches)
Snout
Long and tubular
Short and prehensile
Habitat
Dry savannas to rainforests
Dense forests and near water bodies
Social Behavior
Solitary
Small groups or solitary
Conservation Status
Generally threatened
Generally vulnerable or endangered
Compare with Definitions
Anteater
Has no teeth, relying on its digestive system to process food.
An anteater's stomach grinds the insects it consumes.
Tapir
Can be quite social compared to other solitary forest dwellers.
Tapirs sometimes gather in small groups around abundant food sources.
Anteater
A mammal specialized in eating ants and termites.
The giant anteater uses its two-foot-long tongue to lap up ants.
Tapir
Inhabits forested regions in Central/South America and Southeast Asia.
Brazilian tapirs are often found near water in the Amazon rainforest.
Anteater
Found mainly in the Americas.
Anteaters are native to regions from Southern Mexico to Argentina.
Tapir
Uses its snout to grasp and eat vegetation.
Tapirs are often seen using their snouts like an elephant's trunk.
Anteater
Possesses powerful forelimbs and claws.
Anteaters use their claws to tear apart termite mounds.
Tapir
A large browsing mammal with a distinctive snout.
The Malayan tapir, distinguished by its white saddle-like marking, forages at night.
Anteater
Generally solitary animals.
Anteaters typically wander alone except during mating season.
Tapir
Considered endangered in many of their habitats.
Conservation efforts are crucial for protecting the endangered tapir populations.
Anteater
Anteater is a common name for the four extant mammal species of the suborder Vermilingua (meaning "worm tongue") commonly known for eating ants and termites. The individual species have other names in English and other languages.
Tapir
The tapir ( TAY-pər) is a large, herbivorous mammal, similar in shape to a pig, with a short, prehensile nose trunk. Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest regions of South and Central America, with one species inhabiting Southeast Asia.
Anteater
Any of several Central and South American mammals of the suborder Vermilingua that lack teeth and feed on ants and termites, especially the giant anteater.
Tapir
Any of several large, chiefly nocturnal, odd-toed ungulates of the genus Tapirus of tropical America and Southeast Asia, having a stocky body, short legs, and a fleshy, trunklike proboscis.
Anteater
Any of several other animals, including the echidna, aardvark, and pangolin, that feed on ants.
Tapir
Any one of the species of large odd-toed ungulates of the taxonomic family Tapiridae with a long prehensile upper lip, of which all four surviving species are in genus Tapirus.
Anteater
Any of several animals of South and Central America, in suborder Vermilingua, which are noted for eating ants and termites which they catch with their long sticky tongues.
Tapir
Any one of several species of large odd-toed ungulates belonging to Tapirus, Elasmognathus, and allied genera. They have a long prehensile upper lip, short ears, short and stout legs, a short, thick tail, and short, close hair. They have three toes on the hind feet, and four toes on the fore feet, but the outermost toe is of little use.
Anteater
Any of some other not closely related species that feed with ants, including pangolin (scaly anteater), echidna (spiny anteater), aardvark and numbat (banded anteater).
Tapir
Large inoffensive chiefly nocturnal ungulate of tropical America and southeast Asia having a heavy body and fleshy snout
Anteater
Toothless mammal of southern Africa and Asia having a body covered with horny scales and a long snout for feeding on ants and termites
Anteater
Any of several tropical American mammals of the family Myrmecophagidae which lack teeth and feed on ants and termites
Anteater
Nocturnal burrowing mammal of the grasslands of Africa that feeds on termites; sole extant representative of the order Tubulidentata
Anteater
Small Australian marsupial having long snout and strong claws for feeding on termites; nearly extinct
Anteater
New Guinea echidnas
Anteater
Burrowing spine-covered monotreme of Australia having a long snout and claws for hunting ants and termites
Common Curiosities
What do anteaters eat?
Anteaters primarily consume ants and termites.
Are anteaters social animals?
No, anteaters are mostly solitary.
Where do tapirs live?
Tapirs live in forested areas in Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia.
What are the main threats to tapirs?
Habitat destruction and hunting are major threats to tapirs.
How do anteaters and tapirs differ in diet?
Anteaters eat insects, while tapirs are herbivores.
Can anteaters climb trees?
Some species, like the silky anteater, are adept climbers.
What is unique about the tapir’s snout?
The tapir’s snout is prehensile and can grasp objects.
Do tapirs have predators?
Yes, tapirs are preyed upon by jaguars and other large predators.
How long is an anteater's tongue?
An anteater's tongue can be up to two feet long.
How do anteaters digest their food?
Anteaters have specialized stomachs to help break down tough insect exoskeletons.
What colors are tapirs?
Tapirs range from black and brown to the distinct black-and-white of the Malayan tapir.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
