Cook Islands – 2009 – 5 Dollars – Giant Anteater (PROOF)

Description

Metal: Silver .925
Weight: 20 g
Diameter: 38.61 mm
Quality: Proof
Mintage: 5’000 pcs.

With its overall length of 2 meters the Giant Anteater (lat. Myrmecophaga tridactyla) appears very impressive. Besides this type two others of its species exist; the Tamandua and the Pygmy Anteater. The habitat of the Giant Anteaters is in swamps, tropical forests and savannas.

His main diet is ants and termites. While searching for nourishment he can rely on his excellent sense of smell. Once he finds an insect colony he uses his long, sharp claws to open it. An adult Anteater needs about 35?000 ants per day. The jaguar and puma are their known predators. When attacked the Anteaters typical response to threat is to run away. However if they do become involved in a fight the Anteaters stand on their hind legs and use their immense front claws to defend themselves. By using these he is able to wound his predator seriously or even kill him.

The life expectation of the Anteater may amount to 20 years. Due to hunting and the diminishment of its habitat the Anteater ranked among the endangered animals up until 2005. Since 2006, thanks to several protection precautions, the risk has been able to be reduced. In spite of these precautions this animal species is endangered because its habitat is still decreasing.