The Giant Anteater The giant anteater is one of the four types of anteaters, found in tropical forests and grassy plains from Panama to Argentina. The anteater is a mammal that has no teeth and eats small animals, mostly ants (Encarta ‘ 98). The giant anteater is grey with course, long hair--40 centimeters on its tail--with a dark stripe running from its chest to shoulder. This stripe has a purpose. When the anteater is two years old, it gives birth to a single baby, which rides on its mother's back for several months up to a year. The stripe on the mother's back serves as a natural camoflage for the baby riding on his mother (Schupska 1). The f