Baby Giant Anteater Born at CT’s Beardsley Zoo

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. – For the second time in Zoo history, a Giant anteater has been born at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. Arriving on the evening of July 30, the baby, a male, is now nine pounds and was born after a 175-day gestation period. Proud parents are second time dad, EO, and third time mom, Pana. The pair was brought to Connecticut’s only Zoo with the hopes of successful breeding, which occurred for the first time in 2016. Currently mother and baby are in seclusion most of the day, with brief forays into the outdoor habitat for fresh air and sunshine. 

“Our fingers were crossed that our Giant anteaters would repeat having another youngster, and we couldn’t be happier that the breeding was successful a second time,” explained Gregg Dancho, zoo director. “We encourage everyone to follow the baby’s growth and progress on our Facebook and Instagram pages until the baby is a bit larger.”

Mochilla, the pair’s first offspring, is now in residence at Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana. 

Female anteaters give birth to one offspring and the baby rides on mom’s back for the first several months of life, occasional venturing off not too far from mom to explore its surroundings. For the first week, mom spends most of her time sleeping while bonding occurs and the baby gains strength and weight. When Pana and her son are outside, EO will not be allowed to be in the same habitat due to the mother’s protectiveness and the potential of the father hurting the baby. Pana and the baby will be outside for guests to view into the fall, alternating with EO.

The Giant anteater parents came to the Zoo from Palm Beach Zoo in Palm Beach, Florida. Both Pana and EO are nine years old. They arrived in late May 2015 and are a highlight of the Pampas Plains habitat, which opened in August 2015. Featuring animals from the Pampas region of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil, the new exhibit represents phase one of the Zoo’s South American Adventure exhibit. 

About Giant Anteaters

Giant anteaters can live up to 26 years old in human care and are usually solitary animals. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and are five to seven feet long. Their home range is from southern Belize to northern Argentina and they live in grasslands, humid forests, and woodland areas. Anteaters have one of the lowest body temperatures in the animal kingdom at 91 to 97 degrees Fahrenheit and can eat up to 30,000 ants per meal in the wild. The Latin name for anteater is Vermillingua, meaning "worm tongue," which can be as long as two feet. 

Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is closer than you think and open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $15.00, children (ages 3 -11) is $12.00, and senior admission (62 and older) is just $11.00.  Children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo is located at 1875 Noble Avenue, Bridgeport, Connecticut and parking at the zoo is free of charge. 

About Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo

Spend the day a world away! Connecticut's only zoo, celebrating its 96thanniversary this year, features 300 animals representing primarily North and South American species. Guests won't want to miss our Red panda, Giant anteaters, Amur (Siberian) tigers and tiger cubs, Amur leopards, Maned wolf family, Brazilian ocelot, Mexican grey wolves, and Golden Lion tamarins. Other highlights include our South American rainforest with free-flight aviary, the prairie dog exhibit with "pop-up" viewing areas, the New England Farmyard with goats, pigs, sheep, and other barnyard critters, plus the hoofstock trail featuring bison, deer, and more. Guests can grab a bite at the Peacock Café, eat in the Picnic Grove, and enjoy a ride on our colorful carousel. For more information, visit beardsleyzoo.org.

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Submitted by Fairfield, CT

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