Maned Wolf and Giant Anteater Mixed Exhibits

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BedildaSue

Well-Known Member
Good day, whole wide world!

I have heard of the fairly common mixed-species combination of maned wolf and giant anteater, and was wondering what the general consensus on here was about this pairing.

I had the chance to see it myself at Montgomery Zoo and, while it was fascinating to see two animals I love so much in the same exhibit together, I saw something surprising. I thought for sure that the wolves would be the species to do the taunting, but the anteaters proved incredibly territorial. Every time a wolf wanted to use a den (and there were plenty for everyone in the exhibit), an anteater would chase it off...and the wolves would race away! They were so skittish!

From your experiences, is this kind of reaction rare with this combo? If not, is it nothing to be concerned about, or did I mistake territorial for playful?

Hugs and kisses
- Bedilda
 
I don't think it's very common. I have been to over 70 zoological facilities and have never seen it. The Phoenix Zoo lists both together, but every time I go only the maned wolf is out.
 
Edinburgh used to have this combination. I didn't see any interaction between the species, indeed I didn't see much action at all: the anteaters generally stayed in the den at the top of slope and the wolves in the den near the bottom. If I remember correctly, the anteaters did breed successfully. Someone who visited Edinburgh more frequently might know more than I do.

Alan
 
San Diego Zoo had this combination on exhibit last year, but during my recent visit in September only maned wolf remained.
 
I don't think it's very common.
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Perhaps not common but not really rare either. In addition to the three North American zoos (Montgomery, Phoenix, San Diego) already mentioned in this thread, other zoos of the continent that have had this combo include at least Audubon, Boise, Greensboro and Sunset. Not sure how many of them still have it but it has been in use in all of them within the last 5 years. As far as I can understand the consensus seems to be that the exhibits needs to be fairly large and species should preferably be separated if breeding. You also have to consider the individual; even if the same species some specimens are just less "friendly" than others. In general the giant anteater is the boss and that isn't all that surprising. Unless you're the size of a hare or smaller the maned wolf doesn't present much of a threat. It isn't much more than a fox on stilts. Anteaters have been known to defend themself against jaguars -- a predator in a totally difference league than a maned wolf.
 
gentle lemur said:
Edinburgh used to have this combination. I didn't see any interaction between the species, indeed I didn't see much action at all: the anteaters generally stayed in the den at the top of slope and the wolves in the den near the bottom. If I remember correctly, the anteaters did breed successfully. Someone who visited Edinburgh more frequently might know more than I do.

Alan
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Both species bred successfully whilst mixed in this fashion.
 
Was it on this thread that i saw that Giant Anteaters have been responsible for human deaths before either in the wild or captivity or both
 
I was thinking, maybe they could put turtles/tortoises with the maned wolves, cause the maned wolves won’t attack them because of their shells? Maybe I’m wrong but I think that could work (instead of the anteaters) but maybe they would step on their eggs and…. Crush them. But they could be kept apart during breeding.


Love to the wolves of the world, Maned Wolf (me)
 
steveroberts said:
Was it on this thread that i saw that Giant Anteaters have been responsible for human deaths before either in the wild or captivity or both
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There have been several instances where humans have been killed by a giant anteater in the wild. Despite their unassuming appearance, they ae quite capable of defending themselves and cause significant harm with their long claws. There have also been instances where giant anteaters have killed jaguars.
Giant anteaters kill two hunters in Brazil
But no humans seem to have been killed by them in zoos
 
Neil chace said:
If you are in the city, there's also Turtle Back Zoo in West Orange, NJ, in addition to Beardsley as already mentioned.

If you are in the western part of the state, it may be closer to go to Oglebay's Good Zoo in Wheeling, West Virginia.
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Also a good recommendation, thanks!
 
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