The Green Planet are groundbreakers when it comes to animal welfare and animal knowledge, so it seemed only natural for them to the UAE’s first Tamandua Anteater.

The little guy (who is yet to be named) has been spending lockdown like a lot of his future fans of Dubai by being homeschooled! At just two years old, he is currently learning how to voluntarily walk into his crate, stand on a scale, and stay still, meaning the biologists can do their required full body inspections.

Currently, the team are keeping an extra close watch on him to get him ready for guests of The Green Planet to meet and learn more about him. Tamanduameansa small type of Anteater, and like all the animals of The Green Planet, he has a very important role to play in educating the UAE on our planet and all the types of wildlife that inhabit on it.

Although Tamandua Anteaters are considered a ‘least concern’ on the IUCN red list (meaning their natural population is stable and not in any immediate danger)the impressive rainforest glass bio-dome will now be the new home for the regions first Tamandua Anteaters.

For loyal fans of The Green Planet, who are familiar with resident sloths Lola and Liam, look forward for a further treat as the Tamandua Anteaters are the closest relatives to sloths! Guests may see the Tamandua, along with Liam and Lola on their daily walks or training sessions – so keep your eyes peeled!

Likewise, to sloths, Anteaters are solitary mammals who are very curious, adorable and lazy! Future plans for the Tamandua Anteater include exclusive interaction programmes, where The Green Planets highly skilled biologists will share facts and findings of his progress at The Green Planet.

Sara Stevens, Curator& Manager – The Green Planet said: People may not know what a Tamandua Anteater is! This is what makes him so exciting! Two seconds into meeting him and you are left wondering how you ever lived in a world where you didn’t realize this little guy existed, he has such a gentle and inquisitive nature!

This Anteater has a bright and happy future at The Green Planet, and like all of the animals that call the indoor rainforest home, he will become an ambassador for his species. He represents tropical animals from around the world that are in trouble due to habitat loss, deforestation, pollution and CO2 emissions.

Keep up with the Tamandua Anteaters journey along with over 3,000 plants and animals by booking your tickets to The Green Planet now!

Some other fun facts about the Tamandua Anteater:

1. They belong to the group “Vermilingua” which literally means “worm-tongue”. This makes sense when you see his super long and thin tongue that can find insects in small tree crevices!

1. They are arboreal (live in trees) and are typically found throughout South America – This guy is European!

3. Their diet is mostly insects, honey and fruits. However, this little guy is a huge fan of Avocado and Bananas!
4. Although lazy by nature, they are very curious and excitable mammals
5. The average lifespan of Anteaters is between 10-14 years.

The webinar can be viewed online at https://www.instagram.com/arbordubai/