How To Take Care Of The Exotic Pet : Anteater

89
rate this page

By Krista 07


I have 4 anteaters. 2 of them are giant anteaters and 2 of them are tamanduas. I know many of you are saying " ANTEATER? An Anteater for a pet ? Why ? Shouldn't they be kept in the wild ?" Yes they should be kept in the wild if they are able to. But they are endangerd species. They're endangered because of their forests and the people are hunting them down. So we should help to keep them alive. BUT you will need to research them. It took me 3 years. You will need to think about their diet , the most important and difficult to master. You will need a vet for them. This is very hard, most of them think your crazy. Maybe I am . But once you have one you will fall in love. I'm having trouble getting my pictures to load it takes for ever.I'll tell you where you can see them as pets.PLEASE read the following about them. TamanduaGirl (my friend) has two Tamanduas and, also has videos of them on you tube. But please read the following and tell me if you think you would want one or if something isn't clear let me know. :)

I know anteaters don't look like it but they are related to the sloth family and the armidillo family. Aardvarks are not related to anteaters, it is a very common mistake. They have their own family. There are three different types of anteaters : first there is the pigmi anteater (pigmis are the smallest), then there is the tamandua anteater(medium size), third there is the giant anteater(of course the biggest). Personally I think giant anteaters are a little too big, but you'll get use to it. Tamanduas are the perfect size (I think). Get what ever one you want, doesn't matter at all. Just the amount of food and care and love. They LOVE attention! As strange as it sounds anteaters have great personalities. Anteaters will respond to your name. See it for your self on you tube. You must give them tons and tons and tons of attention. They will cry if they feel they didn't get enough. They make all kinds of noises they cry,weep, groan, scream(if get baddly hurt ) hiss (when protective). lol . All they want is love , so please give them attention. They enjoy a warm climate. If it's cold then get a t-shirt (toddler size for pigmi) (kid size tamandua) (adult size for giant anteaters).

You should take your anteater for a walk once a day. You must put them on a leash even though they are tame, they might get interested under cars and then you might not be able to get them out again or they might climb trees without permishion. Put trainer on them . Not whenever you take them out. It seems to be comfortable for them. Again if it is cold put a t-shirt on them just in case. ; ) Take them to meadows bird sancutaries, parks but becareful people might panic. It's alot quieter and calmer when you take them to a quiet place. You'll enjoy it more and so will your pet. There will be tons of people looking at you or talking to you, bothering you.

Food, food, food that's the tricky part with pets. Well I go out in the yard and look for ants (sometimes) or you can let them find ants themselves. It's better to let them do it, that way they don't get too lazy. I make soup for them (special soup: fruits , vegtables , ants , cheese. ) Usually I make some suop for them . They just adore advocadoes and blue cheese. If you are interested in their food look up what the zoo keepers feed them. (That's what I did.)

Get a huge cage for them. They'll need it. Hammocks is a must! (Get a big hammock for 2.) You can put some ropes in their that way they can hang around and chill. Put some toys in their cage like: squeaky balls, stuff toys, blankets, and a pillow. They should have fun in their cages. Let them out though! They will get antzy! lol They like playing peek-a-boo and love to wrestle! (It's hilarious!)watch it on you tube, click the link.

You wanna be careful of their claws you could get an big scratch if you don't file their claws down. But, usually it's not that bad. Sometimes it's like a cat scratch. You won't have to worry as long as you file their claws. File them once every 4 days. : ) TIP: They use them when they wrestle.

Anteaters cost about $1,400 to about $ 5,000 from what I have seen ! The prettier , healthier, younger the more they are. There are very few anteater breeders left since they have babies every 1 to 2 years. Plus I got all of mine from South America which took about 6 months to a year. To get all four of them that is. I must say I was pretty lucky. Usually it takes a year just to get one. If you want to get one you must do plenty of researching. They must have the proper care . And make sure you know all the sicknesses they can get. Again make sure you get a vet. And tell the vet that you have an anteater. Oh, and 1 more thing make sure you know the state law about exotic animals.

So hope you learned somethin. Do you want one ? Tell me if there is anything you don't understand or want more detail.

By,

Krista 07

zzzzzz why did you wake me up? FOOD!FOOD!
zzzzzz why did you wake me up? FOOD!FOOD!
 Just takin a stroll in the garden. (I'm actually lookin for ants. sssssshhhhhh don't tell them.)
Just takin a stroll in the garden. (I'm actually lookin for ants. sssssshhhhhh don't tell them.)
This is Tammy! She is waving to you!
This is Tammy! She is waving to you!

Comments

RSS for comments on this Hub Small RSS Icon

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
8 months ago

Wow, I never knew anyone could own an Anteater!! You don't live in a zoo lol.. Just kidding..;)

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

lol, They are tons of fun. Did you go to the you tube link?
Wasn't it funny? lol :)

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
8 months ago

Hi Krista/

I tried viewing earlier and am still getting the following message.

The video you have requested is not available.If you have recently uploaded this video, you may need to wait a few minutes for the video to process.

PS. Is it a video of your Anteater? I look forward to seeing it and will try later;)

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Yea it is. Just type in pet anteaters. You'll find a whole bunch! did you see the photo?

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
8 months ago

Oh my god he's so sweet and looks so cool. Looks like he's doing a high 5 lol..I would love to come round your place and see all your animals. You must have so much fun and I wished I was in a position to be able to own my own Zoo."really"!

;)

MrMarmalade profile image

MrMarmalade  says:
8 months ago

Fascinating and imaginable. Thanks but no thanks

I am staying a square. But good try and great hub

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Thanks Guys! It's a her.Tammy.She has been wrestling all day long with Romeo (GIANT ANTEATER). iT IS HILARIOUS(BECAUSE HE IS SO BIG AND SHE IS TINY COMPARED TO HIM. It is a hand full. I am just crazy. My sister lives in Brazil so she has 2 sloths and one is always fighting with hers so she's planning to give me a sloth. OMG!

Whitney05 profile image

Whitney05  says:
8 months ago

Wow! I didn't know that you could have anteaters as pets. Do you need special permits for them? Very cool.

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Yes , you will need a permit and check the state laws just in case. Some states you're not able to have anteaters as pets.

compu-smart profile image

compu-smart  says:
8 months ago

Omg, i love sloths, they are thee cutest things ever, and yes, i did see quite a few videos on youtube on Anteaters, very strange but cute, and forgive me for calling Tammy a he!!.

Do you, or can you take any of your pets to the malls like a dog?

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

No ! THAT IS A BIG NO NO. LOL I tried it one time in Safe way and security said I cannot bring any exotic pets anywhere.lol it was soo embarasing. Everyone was just starring at me. lol

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago


manoharv2001: thankyou!

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Thankyou for the nice comment.

apompell: I need some help. What do you think I should name a baby three-toed sloth ? / its a her. Any ideas?

I'm all ears. =]

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Like the name Gracelyn . I keep all my animals in florida. No hasles what so ever. I have met another lady named Mary and she has a few anteaters.       I'still spend alot of time with them. ( My work is boxing so I have an indoor gym all to myself. People think I'm cruel. because I don't spend alot of time with them. But I do, it's just every once in awhile I fly to Europe for a fight, but other wise I just drive to some place and box. So at the end I'm actually with them all day long.( I've gotten some comments saying I'm cruel.)

Becareful with wolves!   Are you gonna raise them from puppyhood or ???

Anyway I found a nice site. Since you're gonna get wolves, This might help. 

go to       www.gotpetsonline.com I guy had wolves I think he breeds them.  :)

If this is to personal you don't have to answer : What do you do for a living? P.S. Europe is a good place to have exotic pets.

Isabella Snow profile image

Isabella Snow  says:
8 months ago

Wow, Krista, this is very cool!

ericsomething profile image

ericsomething  says:
8 months ago

Very cool! I never would have thought about anteaters. Well, in the southeast United States, food shouldn't be a problem for them -- not with all the fire ants we have here!

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Isabella- Thanks!

Ampompell- wow! How long have you been thinking about having a pet wolf ? or breed them. I've always wanted to work at a shelter. Just curiousity how much do you get paid when you work at a shelter? or is it like a volunteer thing.

Eric- Thats right! lol ; )

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
8 months ago

Oh that's cool. I can't believe it! YOU USUALLY HAVE 25 DOGS????!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW!! What do you think you're going to name it when you get one?

PoleCat  says:
7 months ago

Hi Krista. I know TamanduaGirl because I'm in a yahoo group all about animals from the order xenarthra. She created the group. When I first started researching my favorite anteater, the giant anteater, I thought that they were extremely aggressive animals that threaten people if they see them. I'm preparing to volunteer at the zoo and the woman helping us told us about the giant anteater and how Armani, a giant anteater who is no longer at our zoo anymore because of her area not being safe, would break into a gallop if a new keeper was in her area and actually rear up. She also told us about the keeper who was killed this year by a giant anteater and that they can be dangerous. For now, I will stick with the ferret, they're small and easy for a beginner, but someday I do want to work with the giant anteater. I don't know how to get experience with exotics if there aren't any around where I live, though. Could you lend a hand. Thank you.

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
7 months ago

oh that's cool !  did you want me to help you out on getting an exotic pet right 4 you..? or... if that is what you need help with I think my sister can help you out, she has tons of exotic pets and knows alot about the permits and ect.ect. (she is on hubpages) =] just go to the search engine and type in Jackilyn.

PoleCat  says:
7 months ago

Hi, thanks. I will look up your sister. The exotic pet I want most right now is the ferret since it is easy for a beginner. TamanduaGirl told me I should start with the tamandua before moving on to the giant anteater since the giant anteater as an exotic pet is very playful and rough in its play. Thank you again for your help.

Totally Anteater Crazy   says:
6 months ago

hey i'm diffenatly never gonna get one at my age but i really really really hope to get one when i'm older and it will be pamperd like roalty!!! Any way i've only really interacted with one once but it was great. But any way how do you have a giant anteater?? I mean there so big!!!

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
6 months ago

Pole Cat: glad to help! =]

TAC- oh, I keep it out side in the yard. ITS just like a great dane! sorta , maybe a little bigger?! I don't know I'm just sorta use to it. lol why don'tyou join?

Totally Anteater Crazy  says:
6 months ago

is it hard to take care of the giant anteaters they don't seem very pet like!

Krista 07 profile image

Krista 07  says:
6 months ago

It's hard at first, but you get use to it. =)

horsegirl  says:
4 months ago

I was wondering if you knew anyone that i could contact about getting a tamandua anteater. My mom used to have one when she was in college and i would love to get her another one sometime. Are there any breeders in the US?

stefeeb profile image

stefeeb  says:
4 months ago

Totally awsome hub, I love to watch anteaters at the zoo.

Joe.  says:
3 months ago

I want an anteater, but damn girl, check your spelling.

blah  says:
3 months ago

-X: Are you a cat person or dog person?

-Krista 07: I am an anteater person...

-X: O.o

Personally i am a cat person...but always wanted to have a grizzlie :)

jakotah!  says:
2 months ago

hey this is all so awesome! they remind me of my ferrets but i really need to talk to u and i have some questions! im 15 and im bad at looking up stuff like u did and how u got ur pets but im doin what i can do so plz call my phone cuz i have lots of questions my number is 1405-933-1854 cuz i couldnt find a number to call on the page but if i dont answer plz just leave a message ill get back to u! thanx a lot bye! :)

butt  says:
2 months ago

How can you research how to take care of anteaters when you can't write a coherent sentence? Did a four year old write this?

mudd  says:
2 months ago

Anteaters are interesting but you are a very poor writer. It's rather embarassing.

Spoon  says:
5 weeks ago

I didn't know that you could keep these as pets but now I totally want one. I wonder who I contact to find out if they're legal to keep where I live. I'm gonna be broken hearted if I find out I can't have one.And to all the people complaining about the spelling: Grow up your pretentious wankers, this person is trying to share something she loves with you. So what if she's not a professional writer and forgot to spellcheck? You miss the point, and that's a lot more embarrassing than typing errors.

As for the kid who posted his home phone number on this public website: Wow... I'd feel bad for your poor parents but then again it's probably their fault you're so lacking in common sense.

Anteaters rule  says:
3 weeks ago

She stole that photo from a real owner, that she is claiming is one of her pets.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamanduagirl/43258013

The only good info she has was taken from TamanduaGirls FAQ.

The other photos are stolen too. I've seen them on the web.

Spelling is the least of her problems.

Submit a Comment

Members and Guests

Sign in or sign up and post using a hubpages account.


optional



working