Brevard Zoo’s Giant Anteater Celebrating First Birthday

By  //  January 26, 2013

NOTABLE BIRTHDAYS

(VIDEO: BrevZoo)

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – A baby giant anteater will celebrate his first birthday with guests at the Brevard Zoo on Saturday.

Brevard’s Zoo’s baby giant anteater takes a ride on his mom, DeeGee. The baby giant anteater turns 1 Saturday, Jan. 26 and zookeepers are preparing a special activity at 11 a.m. to celebrate the occasion. (Image courtesy of Brevard Zoo)

Giant anteaters are star attractions of the zoo’s La Selva South American exhibit and the baby anteater was born at the zoo on  Jan. 26, 2012 to giant anteater DeeGee.

The zoo is inviting everyone to stop by Saturday and wish the baby giant anteater a happy birthday.

At 11 a.m. Saturday zoo keepers will help him celebrate his birthday with an enrichment activity while sharing with guests some fun information about anteaters.

The giant anteater is the largest species of anteater and is found in Central and South America.

It is a solitary animal, found in many habitats, including grasslands, deciduous forests and rain forests. It feeds mainly on ants and termites, sometimes up to 30,000 insects in a single day.

The giant anteater has an elongated muzzle and a long tail and typically weighs between 70 to 85 pounds.

Although the giant anteater has poor eyesight it has a keen sense of smell about 40 times greater than that of humans. Giant anteaters can live up to about 16 years. Regular anteater talks are offered by zookeepers at 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday and Saturday.

The Brevard Zoo is at 8225 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne.

For information, call 321-254-9453 or visit BrevardZoo.org