tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9861874288143519652024-03-13T12:53:35.886-04:00The Online AnteaterNews, videos, links, and other fun stuff about the giant anteater, <i>Myrmecophaga tridactyla</i>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-73399979295962557082013-12-05T23:19:00.000-05:002013-12-05T23:19:46.189-05:00song for an unusual creature<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIcWpisQ2jQ/UqFLLQcZxUI/AAAAAAAABaw/C1xMwY31lbg/s1600/hearst-anteater.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zIcWpisQ2jQ/UqFLLQcZxUI/AAAAAAAABaw/C1xMwY31lbg/s400/hearst-anteater.png" /></a></div>My friend <a href="http://michaelhearst.com/" target="_blank">Michael Hearst</a> has been writing about unusual creatures for quite some time now, and I've delighted in his inclusion of giant anteaters among his literary and musical creations. Last year he published an <a href="http://www.oneringzero.com/unusualcreatures/store2.html" target="_blank"><i>Unusual Creatures</i> book</a> with entries on critters from the blobfish to the elephant shrew to everyone's favorite fuzzy long-nosed mammal. Michael is also an accomplished musician who has interpreted the musical essence of some of these animals by writing about them in song! <br />
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As you might imagine, when I first learned Michael was thinking up ideas for his unusual creatures songs I chatted with him about giant anteaters and even tried to help him obtain some anteater sound recordings. More recently, Michael paid a visit to Anteater Central—a.k.a. <a href="http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2009/08/visit-to-nashville.html">the Nashville Zoo</a>—to meet a couple of giant anteaters in person and listen to what they sound like for himself! He was inspired to write a new anteater tune, which you can <a href="http://www.oneringzero.com/unusualcreatures/anteater.html" target="_blank">download for free from the Unusual Creatures website</a>. Here's a great little clip from PBS Digital on how it all went down! <b>•>~</b><br />
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Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-49562043728790298042013-09-06T14:09:00.000-04:002013-09-06T14:19:05.417-04:00toon time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R60Yk0_FVes/UioZJ7uyJII/AAAAAAAABVE/qK1iC2scSJQ/s1600/now-we-wait.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R60Yk0_FVes/UioZJ7uyJII/AAAAAAAABVE/qK1iC2scSJQ/s400/now-we-wait.jpg" /></a></div>I've got a few exciting anteater posts in the works, and I hope to get them up in the next month or so, but I couldn't wait to share with you this excellent cartoon by David Borchart from this week's <i>New Yorker</i> magazine. A new take on the term, "ant trap," for sure! Head on over to <i>The New Yorker</i> to see the <a href="http://www.newyorker.com/humor/issuecartoons/2013/09/09/cartoons_20130902#slide=8" target="_blank">full line of cartoons</a> from the September 9th issue. <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-15384720181673760362013-05-17T16:13:00.003-04:002013-06-14T16:35:43.537-04:00the case of the mystery pup<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pV5y-Eq1-Ss/UZaOQsyg6oI/AAAAAAAABPc/hOPOHK7Kbd4/s1600/DC_pair.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pV5y-Eq1-Ss/UZaOQsyg6oI/AAAAAAAABPc/hOPOHK7Kbd4/s320/DC_pair.JPG" /></a><br />
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A veritable anteater mystery is unfolding in Greenwich, Connecticut. A story in today's Greenwich Time <a href="http://www.greenwichtime.com/news/article/A-special-delivery-in-northern-Greenwich-4523955.php" target="_blank">recounts the birth of a new giant anteater</a> who was completely unexpected by the host zoo's caretakers. Here's the scoop: The new pup's mother, Armani, gave birth to a young female pup last August. Since male giant anteaters are known to sometimes kill their own offspring, the pup's father, Alf, was immediately separated from Armani and her baby. Months later, Armani and Alf were reunited. But last month, zookeepers at the <a href="http://leozoo.org/" target="_blank">LEO Zoological Conservation Center</a> were surprised one morning to find Armani with yet another newborn pup, this time a male, in the anteater enclosure. <br />
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Giant anteaters don't "show" their pregnancy very much, and the timing was such that the birth seemed to defy logic: Armani had not, to anyone's knowledge, been anywhere near Alf, her male companion, in October, when the new baby must have been conceived. (The gestational period for giant anteaters is six months.)<br />
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The news media has been <a href="http://news.yahoo.com/mystery-immaculately-conceived-baby-anteater-140155441.html" target="_blank">having a field day</a> with the idea that this might have been an "immaculate conception." Of course, there must be some other explanation, but what could it be?<br />
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Marcella Leone, founder and director of the LEO Conservation Center, has suggested it might have been a rare case of delayed implantation, a situation in which a fertilized egg doesn't immediately begin normal division and implantation in a mother's uterus. If this were the case, Alf would have fertilized two of Armani's eggs at the same time, with one developing during the normal timeline to produce the female pup last August, and the other taking a while to develop into the newer male pup.<br />
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Anteater experts have so far reacted to this hypothesis with some skepticism.<br />
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"I am extremely dubious about the delayed implantation theory, especially with a birth in the middle of the timeline," says Marie Magnuson, an <a href="http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-anteater-keeper.html">anteater keeper at the National Zoo</a> in Washington DC. Magnuson has overseen the birth of three giant anteaters. <br />
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I've got to think it's also possible that someone at the conservation center accidentally brought the pair together before they were supposed to, and simply never said anything about it. Males and females don't take long to mate, so it could have happened pretty quickly. <br />
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We may never know the truth behind this giant anteater mystery. But how wonderful that there are now two pups thriving in southwestern Connecticut! Here's wishing them both long, healthy lives. <b>•>~</b><br />
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<i>Photo of mating anteaters courtesy of Tracey Barnes</i>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-42366241077940823952013-02-18T19:37:00.000-05:002013-02-19T09:42:54.800-05:00getting a check-up<center><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-disPwADqJMk/USLHwvsW1cI/AAAAAAAABNM/GbMxcD3hYis/s1600/Bonito_opener.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-disPwADqJMk/USLHwvsW1cI/AAAAAAAABNM/GbMxcD3hYis/s320/Bonito_opener.jpg" /></a></center><br />
How do you examine a giant anteater? Carefully. As <a href="http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2012/05/this-adorable-photo-reminds-us-of-two.html">noted</a> <a href="http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2009/06/adolpho-cuddler.html">previously</a> on The Online Anteater, these animals are docile creatures, but they must be handled with utmost caution due to their imposing, razor-sharp claws. Now, the Zoological Society of London has published <a href="http://www.zslblogs.org/2013/01/09/bonito-the-giant-anteater/" target="_blank">a revealing blog post</a> detailing the process by which veterinarians go about the delicate task of checking an anteater's vitals while keeping everyone in the room safe. In particular, they describe a check-up for aging London Zoo resident Bonito, including bloodwork, an x-ray, and an abdominal ultrasound. I'd never seen such a setup before, but it makes a lot of sense that they would wrap Bonito's paws so tightly before subjecting him to the exam! Thanks to the ZSL for the insight into this aspect of giant anteater care. <b>•>~</b><br />
Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-22296166466501413932012-11-24T16:05:00.003-05:002013-05-17T20:28:12.793-04:00in a galaxy far, far away...<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dKj8WB5I30/UZbLBssj-LI/AAAAAAAABPs/ko3Op_DNtzo/s1600/lightsaber.png" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5dKj8WB5I30/UZbLBssj-LI/AAAAAAAABPs/ko3Op_DNtzo/s320/lightsaber.png" /></a><br />
<p style='font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;'>Source: <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://www.animalswithlightsabers.com/post/201184231'>animalswithlightsabers.com</a> via <a style='text-decoration: underline; font-size: 10px; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com/20tauri/' target='_blank'>Maia</a> on <a style='text-decoration: underline; color: #76838b;' href='http://pinterest.com' target='_blank'>Pinterest</a></p><br />
A giant anteater with a lightsaber. Need we say more? •>~Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-62046089774771732612012-11-09T10:48:00.002-05:002012-11-09T10:48:44.101-05:00baby baby<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZAUnHGmcfE/UJ0kopew19I/AAAAAAAABJM/Xt7ScZwChNw/s1600/instagram_pup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KZAUnHGmcfE/UJ0kopew19I/AAAAAAAABJM/Xt7ScZwChNw/s400/instagram_pup.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Cute alert! We adore this cheeky 'lil anteater pup. •>~<br />
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<i>Via <a href="http://instagram.com/p/Lyn1TsNhls/" target=_blank>Fashionsalade</a> Tumblr</i>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-89517815244170099912012-10-31T12:10:00.000-04:002012-10-31T12:30:25.719-04:00an anteater halloween<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FB8f8RYZHFg/UJFMnoBI-sI/AAAAAAAABIs/mC8DNSIfj7s/s1600/costume_brettisagirl_crop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="385" width="384" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FB8f8RYZHFg/UJFMnoBI-sI/AAAAAAAABIs/mC8DNSIfj7s/s400/costume_brettisagirl_crop.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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You may remember us raving last year about a sublime <a href="http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2011/04/best-costume-ever.html">giant anteater costume</a>. Well, here are two more excellent Halloween anteaters, one by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettisagirl/8051607851/in/photostream" target=_blank>Brett Manning on Flickr</a> and the other by noted baby photographer <a href="http://tomarma.com/" target=_blank>Tom Arma</a>. Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone! <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-75534460676343257932012-10-22T20:37:00.000-04:002012-10-22T20:37:32.262-04:00baby anteater - the song!<iframe width="450" height="253" src="http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Zo53cDw_CrQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br />
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Giant anteaters rarely make it into song, but our furry long-nosed friends are the subject of a sweet new tune from children's singer-songwriter <a href="http://www.alisonfaithlevy.com/" target=_blank>Alison Faith Levy</a>. The number, "Baby Anteater," is one of 11 tracks on her 2012 release, <i><a href="http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/alisonfaithlevy2" target=_blank>World of Wonder</a>.</i> Other songs on the album include "Eye of the Tornado" and "I had a Rooster," but there's no secret as to which is tops among the lot... It goes:<br />
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<blockquote>"Riding around on your mama’s back<br />
She’s running around and you just sleep right though<br />
Clutched on tight, you’re such a funny sight!"</blockquote><br />
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A California native, Levy is a well-heeled public performer who also teaches "Tot Rock Classes" in the Bay Area. Giant anteaters, she tells me, are "a big fave with my little kid fans...they put their arms out like snouts and go around on the floor when I play, pretending to pick up ants!" That sounds like the anteater boogie to me! <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-1761539399756091172012-09-29T19:40:00.001-04:002013-05-12T17:46:33.262-04:00say cheese!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxQ8xhE5p5I/UGeE8Ui_jmI/AAAAAAAABFY/1_ETwg82GcA/s1600/camera_trap_peru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vxQ8xhE5p5I/UGeE8Ui_jmI/AAAAAAAABFY/1_ETwg82GcA/s400/camera_trap_peru.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Some of you may know that our <a href=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ target=_blank>National Zoo</a>, run by the <a href=http://www.si.edu/ target=_blank>Smithsonian Institution</a> in Washington, D.C., has been home to a number of giant anteaters over the years (see, for example, <a href=http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2011/03/visit-to-dc.html>A Visit to D.C.</a>). What may surprise you, however, is that the Smithsonian also supports the study of animal behaviors in the wild! To wit, the giant anteater photo above was captured in a Peruvian forest as part of a research project that used a camera trap—a popular method for observing animals in their natural habitats.<br />
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So what the heck is a camera trap? Here's how it works: Scientists set up cameras in remote places where wild animals are thought to roam, and whenever the camera senses motion or body heat, it snaps a series of pictures! The main benefit to science of such a system is that biologists don't have to waste time sitting out in the jungle or in an open field waiting for an animal to come along. Plus, since the camera is an inanimate object, animals are much more likely to approach!<br />
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If you're curious to learn more about the Smithsonian's camera trap programs, visit their <a href=http://siwild.si.edu/index.cfm target=_blank>WILD</a> site, which explains how it's done in a bit more detail. You can also check out some of the <a href=http://siwild.si.edu/animal-index.cfm target=_blank>wild animals</a> they've seen this way, from birds to bears to leopards to (of course) anteaters. •>~<br />
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<b>Update:</b> Don't miss these two fantastic videos of a giant anteaters doing their thing in the woods. The first was caught with a camera trap some 500 meters from the Amazon Rainforest Conservation Center Lodge in Las Piedras, Peru. The anteater's backside looks pretty wet...wonder if he/she was just coming in from a swim? The second provides an insightful look at an anteater wallowing directly in a water hole. <br />
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</center>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-59530021101288820172012-08-20T19:48:00.000-04:002012-08-20T19:48:38.784-04:00three fabulous paintings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7sGDZueU_E/UDLKXWZF6BI/AAAAAAAABFE/P1cOKHuoxLY/s1600/Miguel%2BBethencourt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="302" width="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7sGDZueU_E/UDLKXWZF6BI/AAAAAAAABFE/P1cOKHuoxLY/s400/Miguel%2BBethencourt.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I spy some excellent anteater art! First up is a gorgeous piece by a Spanish artist from the Canary Islands, <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/mbethencourt/6713886731/">Miguel Bethencourt</a>. Next is a whimsical <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/105868685/giant-anteater-with-baby-animal-art" target=_blank>mom-and-pup scene</a> by Susan Stockdale, which can be purchased at her Etsy shop. And the last find is a unique work by the Drake Studio. Painted skillfully on ceramic tile, it can also be <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/99880329/hand-painted-giant-anteater-portrait" target=_blank>had via Etsy</a>. <b>•>~</b><br />
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Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-41785446441174363982012-06-06T13:48:00.000-04:002012-06-11T23:02:40.570-04:00annie predicts the playoffs<div style='text-align:center'><object width='400' height='255' id='FiveminPlayer' classid='clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000'> <param name='allowfullscreen' value='true'/><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'/><param name='movie' value='http://embed.5min.com/517383662/'/><param name='wmode' value='opaque' /><embed name='FiveminPlayer' src='http://embed.5min.com/517383662/' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' width='400' height='255' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' wmode='opaque'> </embed> </object><br />
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</div>Could the outcome of tonight's National Hockey League playoff game be riding on the snout of one cuddly anteater? It might seem that way, as Annie, a seven-year-old giant anteater at the <a href=http://www.co.bergen.nj.us/bcparks/zoo.aspx target=_blank>Bergen County Zoo</a> in Paramus, NJ, recently "predicted" the Los Angeles Kings to win over the New Jersey Devils for this year's Stanley Cup. The demonstration brings back memories of <a href=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Octopus target=_blank>Paul, the German octopus</a> who correctly "predicted" his home country would lose to Spain in the 2010 World Cup of soccer. Indeed, with the Kings already up 3-0 in the <a href=http://www.nhl.com/ice/stanleycup.htm target=_blank>best-of-seven series</a>, tonight's game 4 could be vindication for an anteater who was asked to choose between a team from the City of Angels and a team whose home ice is just 20 miles from her zoo enclosure.<br />
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So how did Annie get into the Stanley Cup-predicting business? Glad you asked. It turns out the stunt was the brainchild of a local television station that wanted to drum up publicity for the hockey finals. Irene Egan, the supervisor of zookeeping who regularly handles and cares for Annie, actually confessed that several other animals—including a toucan, a hedgehog, and a pig—were tested for the prediction contest, but that Annie won over the producers' hearts. "They thought she was the most interesting animal," Egan said. Well, of course she was ;)<br />
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As for the contest itself, I learned from Egan that each bowl was filled with an array of Annie's favorite treats—things like oranges, bananas, avocado, and eggs—as a means to "enhance her interest." And while our fine furry friend gravitated right away toward the bowl representing the team from LA, in the end she licked both bowls clean. "She's pretty food-motivated," said Egan.<br />
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Annie first arrived at the zoo when she was a pup, around seven years ago. And truth be told, "Annie" is not her official name, but rather a nickname that Egan and the other keepers have for their long-snouted resident. She is the lone giant anteater at the zoo, which is not unusual, since giant anteaters mostly live on their own in the wild. "She likes to take a nap a lot of the time," Egan remarked.<br />
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Of course, all of this is prediction stuff is pure whimsy. But in a world where grown men go for weeks without shaving or changing their socks for fear of breaking whatever lucky streak they've got going, I'm sure little Annie has made Kings fans across the nation smile from ear to ear. <b>•>~</b><br />
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<b>UPDATE 11/11/12:</b> Well, it looks like Annie was right all along :) Congrats to the LA Kings for <a href=http://www.latimes.com/sports/sportsnow/la-sp-sn-stanley-cup-kings-devils-game-6-live-coverage-20120611,0,311955.story target=_blank>winning their first Stanley Cup</a>!Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-88016128388506564102012-05-09T21:03:00.000-04:002012-05-09T21:31:24.675-04:00the cute and the clawsThis adorable photo reminds us of two things: 1) Even baby giant anteaters have super-long tongues; 2) Holy moly, mom has some seriously fierce weaponry! <b>•>~</b><br />
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<table cellpadding="2"><td style="border-bottom: 0px solid #fff;"> <a href="http://500px.com/photo/7349508"> <img src="http://pcdn.500px.net/7349508/8b9284a0ffcc47bc23860f6f5111ae951fb79e8f/4.jpg" width="400" height="280" alt="Anteater Baby Tongue by Josef Gelernter (JosefGelernter) on 500px.com" border="0" style="margin: 0 0 5px 0;"> </a> <br />
<font style="font-size: 100%;"> <a href="http://500px.com/photo/7349508">Anteater Baby Tongue</a> by <a href="http://500px.com/JosefGelernter">Josef Gelernter</a></font></table>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-62119403465218225832012-03-26T23:17:00.000-04:002012-03-27T11:20:48.096-04:00hello, choccy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYiA52tP73E/T3EvAU7bjmI/AAAAAAAAA_o/nKEwl-nYWHQ/s1600/baby.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="371" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RYiA52tP73E/T3EvAU7bjmI/AAAAAAAAA_o/nKEwl-nYWHQ/s400/baby.jpg" /></a></div><br />
The <a href=http://www.longleat.co.uk/ target=_blank>Longleat</a> Safari Park in the UK <a href=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2120496/Anteater-cub-goes-ride-Longleat-Safari-Park-born-stunned-zoo-visitors.html target=_blank>welcomed a new giant anteater pup</a> this week, a cutie named Choccy. The pup's mother, Maroni, apparently gave birth during the daytime in front of a gathering of staff and visitors! Check out the link for more pictures of mom and baby. Welcome to the world, Choccy! <b>•>~</b><br />
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<center><iframe width="450" height="259" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7fQDed_x9KE" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />
<br />Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-23108223807067483182012-03-17T13:41:00.001-04:002012-03-17T14:00:03.751-04:00artsy anteaters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-780YHs42rt8/T2TLfTF5-_I/AAAAAAAAA-s/7kTn8QXYDMA/s1600/new_anteater_art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="377" width="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-780YHs42rt8/T2TLfTF5-_I/AAAAAAAAA-s/7kTn8QXYDMA/s400/new_anteater_art1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Decided to do a little digging for some new giant anteater art, and I came up with some great finds! The anteater <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/82833416/anteater-print-vintage-dictionary-book" target=_blank>dictionary page</a> by The Rekindled Page and the illustration by Luka of an <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/93411058/chameleon-and-anteater-limited-edition">anteater and a chameleon</a> can both be found on Etsy. The lovely <a href="http://society6.com/product/Anteater_Print">super-sized anteater</a> can be ordered as a print, a shirt, a hoodie or a laptop skin from Society6. Last, but not least, I wanted to show off my custom-made doormat from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/DamnGoodDoormats#">Damn Good Doormats</a>. It's almost too nice to wipe my feet on! <b>•>~</b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70JztdaySsE/T2TLj7tQrpI/AAAAAAAAA-4/FuIyiY_jjN4/s1600/new_anteater_art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="283" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70JztdaySsE/T2TLj7tQrpI/AAAAAAAAA-4/FuIyiY_jjN4/s400/new_anteater_art2.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k68qtT20PJU/T2TMbprZIUI/AAAAAAAAA_c/zHl6yHH2JDs/s1600/new_anteater_art3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="325" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k68qtT20PJU/T2TMbprZIUI/AAAAAAAAA_c/zHl6yHH2JDs/s400/new_anteater_art3.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IN-trqw06A/T2TLrUyyUII/AAAAAAAAA_Q/Hh0W1XugBcI/s1600/new_anteater_art4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2IN-trqw06A/T2TLrUyyUII/AAAAAAAAA_Q/Hh0W1XugBcI/s400/new_anteater_art4.jpg" /></a></div><br />Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-1448976203490577242012-03-17T13:09:00.000-04:002012-03-17T13:45:20.075-04:00mod anteater woman<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IYIAre4-vY/T2TEqCGXoII/AAAAAAAAA-g/YckOFYuG_Zk/s1600/anteater_lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="400" width="308" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4IYIAre4-vY/T2TEqCGXoII/AAAAAAAAA-g/YckOFYuG_Zk/s400/anteater_lady.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I know nothing about this mystery woman except that she has a very lovely pet. Wonder if she was friendly with <a href="http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2009/09/dalis-anteater-surreal.html">Salvador Dalí</a>? <b>•>~</b><br />
<br />Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-86182190700092632732011-06-10T17:05:00.003-04:002011-06-10T17:16:55.948-04:00rock the vote!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcCFJ42Yejo/TfKJfsDrBoI/AAAAAAAAA0U/YOsXpP0StW4/s1600/vs.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 330px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcCFJ42Yejo/TfKJfsDrBoI/AAAAAAAAA0U/YOsXpP0StW4/s400/vs.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5616702862779942530" /></a><br />The Daily Squee has a new poll asking us to choose (as if there were any question): Baby anteater or baby sloth - <a href=http://squee.icanhascheezburger.com/2011/06/10/cute-baby-animals-sloths-vs-anteaters/ target=_blank>Which is cuter</a>? You know what to do, my ant-eating friends... <b>•</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-40664878043136114512011-06-07T12:33:00.002-04:002011-06-07T12:36:32.797-04:00keeping cool<center><iframe width="400" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/KncdF_IkK-A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Rub a dub dub...this giant anteater certainly seems to be enjoying his shower! A little more on the left, please! <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-41505078318935200832011-04-16T11:21:00.004-04:002011-04-16T11:38:19.157-04:00best costume ever<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kl5-4ixvr8M/Tam3XtOJuwI/AAAAAAAAAzY/D_uv08x7di4/s1600/costume.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kl5-4ixvr8M/Tam3XtOJuwI/AAAAAAAAAzY/D_uv08x7di4/s400/costume.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5596205629888379650" /></a><br />It's a little early for Halloween, but I just came across this impressive giant anteater costume and had to share. What can I say? It's incredible...it even has the claws! The outfit was made by an animal costume designer who goes by the name of Beastcub. You can see other examples of her work, and even order your own, on the <a href=http://www.beastcub.com/ target=_blank>Beastcub Creations</a> website. <b>•>~</b><br /><center><br /><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="400" height="330" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ypRz4EpeIlQ?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-41199147683680277242011-04-02T11:28:00.001-04:002011-04-07T23:38:43.162-04:00a visit to d.c.<center><iframe title="YouTube video player" width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/tkIWkyaBxEo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></center><br />Earlier this year I was invited to spend some time with the giant anteaters at our <a href=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/default.cfm target=_blank>National Zoo</a> in Washington D.C. I'd been to the zoo many times before; in fact, my earliest encounter with a giant anteater took place there when I was seven years old! So I didn't need convincing when I was offered a behind-the-scenes look at the zoo's anteater barn. <br /><br />I met Marie Magnuson and Leigh Pitsko, staff animal keepers, outside the great cats exhibit area, where they were attending to an errant sock that had somehow made its way over a sizable moat and into the resident tiger's front yard. Before we went to catch up with the zoo's anteaters, I got a chance to say hello to seven young lions, who were hanging out deep inside the bowels of the great cats holding area. Let me tell you right now: lion cubs, though they might weigh as much as a large dog just a few months after birth, are all pussycat when it comes to behavior! But I digress...<br /><br />After briefly visiting the keepers' office opposite the cubs, we wandered over to the anteater barn, where the zoo's three giant anteaters overnight and overwinter. I was especially excited to be meeting the zoo's newest anteater, a young male pup born a couple of months prior. As you can read in <a href=http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2011/01/meet-anteater-keeper.html>a previous post</a>, this guy had quite a scare in his first week of life, but he'd recovered just fine and had grown to be only a little larger than your average house cat. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4RABPExRUg/TZaQYu8z_sI/AAAAAAAAAyw/PE-3AxKAfP8/s1600/IMG_2517.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-c4RABPExRUg/TZaQYu8z_sI/AAAAAAAAAyw/PE-3AxKAfP8/s400/IMG_2517.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590814742021406402" /></a><br />I was introduced first to Dante, the pup's father, who was curled up in his straw-lined crate. I'd known that giant anteaters' long fluffy tails are used as a blanket in the wild (Marie added that they work as umbrellas, too), but I'd never seen an anteater actually sleeping before. If Marie hadn't woken him up, I would have sworn he was a miniature Cousin It—all hair and no discernible features. But he finally poked his snout out to see what all the commotion was. Dante was born in the wild, so he's a more cautious anteater, and zookeepers need to be extra careful around him lest he lash out unexpectedly with his formidable front claws. Giant anteaters are mostly gentle giants, but they've got some serious protective weapons, so humans have to respect that and exercise great care around them, especially if they haven't been reared around people. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt6FIhqM4hc/TZaRG9Pa0wI/AAAAAAAAAzA/LTcwUJLpJ7w/s1600/zoo%2B037.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt6FIhqM4hc/TZaRG9Pa0wI/AAAAAAAAAzA/LTcwUJLpJ7w/s400/zoo%2B037.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590815536131527426" /></a><br />Next we turned to Maripi, the female, and her as-yet-unnamed pup! Marie lovingly swept the little guy into her arms and brought him out into the hall for a meet-and-greet. This is Maripi's third pup, and I was told that aside from his initial scare, he's been a very easy-going baby. He's apparently comfortable being away from his mom more than other pups, who might yelp if they fall off their mother's back. He seemed quite at home being held by a human, and he certainly didn't shy away from the attention! Marie made a point of showing me his growing claws, which were already approaching two inches long. Next, she prepared a peanut butter treat for Maripi inside something that resembled a hollowed out rubber dog toy. While Maripi noshed, her pup climbed onto her fur and put on a little show for his visitors. As you can see in the short video up top, he actually sat side-saddle on Maripi's back for a few minutes, which is apparently quite rare for anteater babies! <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EwokMGiC9Y8/TZaTyfv6iGI/AAAAAAAAAzI/hZPhZH5Z1h8/s1600/IMG_2530.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EwokMGiC9Y8/TZaTyfv6iGI/AAAAAAAAAzI/hZPhZH5Z1h8/s400/IMG_2530.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5590818483152259170" /></a><br />Soon after the snack, it was time to take leave of my long-snouted friends. I asked Marie when the pup would finally be named, and she mentioned that the zoo was planning a naming contest in which the public could participate. Online voting between five contending names—Pablo, Termito, Demetrio, Fausto, and Valerio—ended this past week, but the decision still awaits a certain anteater's input! The zoo has decided that mom Maripi will have the final say in the name of her baby. She'll <a href=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Anteater/namepup3_vote.cfm target=_blank>choose next week</a>, on April 7th, between the three top vote-getters based on "enrichment objects" placed in the anteater yard! <br /><br />I want to thank the National Zoo for allowing me a "backstage tour," and in particular Marie Magnuson for showing me around. Whether you live in the DC area or are just passing through, the National Zoo is definitely worth a visit, especially in the warmer spring and summer months, when the anteaters are more likely to be on display. And I highly recommend heading down there while the current pup is young and adorable! <b>•>~</b><br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Maripi has <a href=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Anteater/Pablonamed.cfm target=_blank>made her call</a>: Pablo it is!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJcK3VLiRf8/TZ6DHIxG6AI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/knl0UagU_3U/s1600/pablo_naming.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 297px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJcK3VLiRf8/TZ6DHIxG6AI/AAAAAAAAAzQ/knl0UagU_3U/s400/pablo_naming.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593051945876514818" /></a>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-15602753094584200952011-03-15T21:57:00.007-04:002011-03-21T22:28:24.692-04:00send a friend an anteater<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IE8x3mV4is/TYAcuN7F00I/AAAAAAAAAyY/b_2IMEoO8rs/s1600/card.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2IE8x3mV4is/TYAcuN7F00I/AAAAAAAAAyY/b_2IMEoO8rs/s400/card.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584495118276481858" /></a><br />As you can imagine, I maintain a healthy collection of giant anteater cards and other paraphernalia. So when I recently stumbled upon this delightful creation on Etsy, I got in touch with the lovely ladies at <a href=http://shop.pawlingprintstudio.com/ target=_blank>Pawling Print Studio</a> so that I could special-order half a dozen. Turns out Trisha and Janet work out of Washington DC and—completely randomly and awesomely—my hometown of Pound Ridge, NY! I love the fact that they work with environmentally friendly materials, and their non-anteater collection of geometric prints and totes is pretty sweet, too. If you prefer to stick to anteater wares, though, you can purchase this design on <a href=http://www.etsy.com/listing/60821911/card-anteater target=_blank>individual cards</a>, <a href=http://www.etsy.com/listing/60821093/6-cards-long-nosed-animals target=_blank>as a set of six</a>, or even on an <a href=http://www.etsy.com/listing/36426623/3-onesies-long-nosed-animals target=_blank>adorable onesie</a> for the little tot in your life. <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-87572015074342251472011-02-14T01:14:00.000-05:002011-02-14T13:16:48.827-05:00my funny valentine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsqIj6vIbi8/TVlxYkPixsI/AAAAAAAAAxw/3a_3kQZkgKg/s1600/Anteater%2BLove.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 321px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SsqIj6vIbi8/TVlxYkPixsI/AAAAAAAAAxw/3a_3kQZkgKg/s400/Anteater%2BLove.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5573610680707368642" /></a><br />Aww. This adorable little card was illustrated by <a href=http://www.denverwagner.blogspot.com/ target=_blank>Denver Wagner</a>. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-2880786499121006732011-01-16T21:08:00.006-05:002011-01-17T15:48:17.158-05:00meet the anteater keeper<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TS4y0UBxtLI/AAAAAAAAAws/ikrfIKLNLPY/s1600/Magnuson_Pup.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 341px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TS4y0UBxtLI/AAAAAAAAAws/ikrfIKLNLPY/s400/Magnuson_Pup.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561438464159888562" /></a><br />Giant anteaters have been on exhibit at the <a href=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/ target=_blank>National Zoo</a> in Washington D.C. since 1907. Today, the zoo is home to two adults and a brand new <a href=http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2011/01/two-new-zoo-pups.html>baby boy</a>, born on December 7th. Watching over these creatures great and small is Marie Magnuson, one of the zoo’s animal keepers. Magnuson was gracious enough to answer some questions I had about her job, the anteaters she cares for, and a major scare involving the zoo’s newest pup.<br /><br /><b>OA: How did you first become interested in giant anteaters?</b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> Seeing an anteater in the wild has always been on my “bucket list.” They are just such beautiful animals and so unlike anything else. I've been employed at the National Zoo since 1999, but volunteered for about seven years before that. When I learned that we would be getting giant anteaters here, and that I would be part of the team caring for them, I was over the moon. <br /><br /><b>OA: The National Zoo currently houses two adult giant anteaters, Dante and Maripi. What are they like? Do they have any “personality” traits? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> You need to work with them a while to really get to know them, but they definitely each have their own personality. Their facial expressions never change, so you have to pay attention to body language when working with them. Maripi is very relaxed and easygoing. The only time I have seen her upset is when she hears an alarm cry from her pup. Dante is a little more easily upset. Unlike Maripi, who was born at the <a href=http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2009/08/visit-to-nashville.html>Nashville Zoo</a>, Dante was born in the wild and taken as a youngster to be part of a breeding program here in the U.S. So I think that may be the reason. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TS4yz75MthI/AAAAAAAAAwk/_-NU7ASUsdI/s1600/Magnuson_Dante.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TS4yz75MthI/AAAAAAAAAwk/_-NU7ASUsdI/s400/Magnuson_Dante.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561438457681458706" /></a><br /><br /><b>OA: You’ve written previously that anteaters don’t do all that much thinking. Indeed, they have pretty small brains for their body size. Is there anything you can teach them? Do they get used to routines at all? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> It depends on what you mean by “teach”. Dante can target. This means that we can hold a pole, tap the ground with the end, say “Target!” and Dante will go to the end of the pole and put his nose against it. This is very handy when weighing him. Sometimes Maripi remembers how to target and sometimes, well…<br /><br />A lot of the training we do with the anteaters is to desensitize them to being in close proximity to humans and to tolerate being touched. We’re hoping that they will allow “voluntary“ medical procedures. Maripi is great with this, and we have been able to ultrasound her through all three pregnancies. This tolerance to handling made a big difference when the last baby was born. We were able to place the baby right where it needed to be to nurse because of the level of trust we had built up with her.<br /><br />Dante, as I mentioned, is a little more nervous about all this touchy-feely stuff. We’re working toward a voluntary echocardiogram with him, but for our safety we have trained him to sit up and hold onto a heavy board that remains between us. He’s also received “man training” to make him more tolerant of men, whom he associates with the sound of power tools. All the keepers in our unit are women, so the only time he would hear men’s voices was when craftsmen would come to fix something, and all the banging and the drills frightened him. He blamed the men. Anyway, soothing words and plenty of treats has helped a lot. <br /><br /><b>OA: How many giant anteaters have been born at the National Zoo? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> Dante and Maripi are the only anteaters to have successfully bred here in Washington. The male pup born in December is their third baby together. The first was a female named Aurora, who is now at ZooParc du Beauval in France. Next came a male named <a href=http://onlineanteater.blogspot.com/2009/06/meet-cyrano.html>Cyrano</a>, who is now at the Nashville Zoo. The new baby [pictured below] will be with Maripi for at least 10-12 more months.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TS4yz0ztWcI/AAAAAAAAAwc/TaIcN-FavyU/s1600/Pablo_pup2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TS4yz0ztWcI/AAAAAAAAAwc/TaIcN-FavyU/s400/Pablo_pup2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561438455779383746" /></a><br /><br /><b>OA: You had a scare with the most recent pup. Can you describe what happened and how he’s doing now? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> Scare is right! There is a <a href=http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/Amazonia/Anteater/January2011.cfm target=_blank>detailed description</a> on the zoo’s website, but briefly: After what appeared to be a normal birth, one night we found the baby outside the sleeping crate in the morning. He was cold and unresponsive. Immediate steps were taken to start to warm him up and to transport both him and his mother to the Vet hospital. He was reintroduced to his mom, and she has been taking care of him ever since, with very little assistance from us. It turned out that the camera that was supposed to be recording activity overnight was on the fritz, so we’ll never know for sure what caused this to happen. But both Maripi and the baby are back at the anteater barn and doing very well. His weight is on a level with the other babies we have had here and he seems normal in every respect. He is the quietest anteater baby we’ve had and almost never alarm calls.<br /><br /><b>OA: When do you think the pup will be able to go outside and meet the public? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> As soon as we get some warm weather. I was hoping that after an unusually cold December we might be treated to a mild January, but so far no luck.<br /><br /><b>OA: What is the best part about your job as an anteater keeper? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> I’d have to say the level of trust that I mentioned earlier. Our unit also cares for tigers, bears, and lions, as well as several other smaller species. They are all wonderful, but being able to work so closely with the anteaters is really special.<br /><br /><b>OA: Do you have any tips for someone who might be interested in a career working with captive animals—anteater or otherwise? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> Get as much hands-on experience as possible. Most of the job is just that—a job. There is hosing and cleaning and food prep, and you work holidays and weekends, sometimes in terrible weather conditions, and that is 95 percent of the job. If the other 5 percent, the part that takes your breath away, makes you forget the not-so-glamorous part, then I say “Go for it!” But you might want to find out first by volunteering.<br /><br /><b>OA: Last question: What’s the funniest thing that’s ever happened to you relating to giant anteaters? </b><br /><br /><b>MM: </b> Well, one day when giving Maripi a bath—she loves baths and you can see her on <a href=http://www.youtube.com/user/SmithsonianNZP target=_blank>the National Zoo’s YouTube page</a>—she farted and blew bubbles in her bath water. That’s the kind of sophisticated humor we go in for around here. <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-3527416729735495422011-01-09T13:18:00.010-05:002011-01-12T20:18:36.555-05:00two new zoo pups<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TSn8Qi7m9ZI/AAAAAAAAAwE/URWmlFQzLQ0/s1600/Pedro.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TSn8Qi7m9ZI/AAAAAAAAAwE/URWmlFQzLQ0/s400/Pedro.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560252576150517138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TSn8XiLnBtI/AAAAAAAAAwM/5IRvi1v7_30/s1600/SFbaby10.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TSn8XiLnBtI/AAAAAAAAAwM/5IRvi1v7_30/s400/SFbaby10.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560252696208279250" /></a><br />It's always nice to hear about new giant anteaters entering the world. In the past month, officials have announced not one but <i>two</i> new pups in major U.S. zoos! The first newbie (top), who made his debut on December 7th, is <a href=http://www.nbcwashington.com/around-town/events/Zoo-Celebrates-Holidays-With-Tiny-Giant-Anteater-112393864.html target=_blank>a resident of the National Zoo</a> in Washington, D.C. Check back here for more on him very soon! The second (bottom), whose gender has not yet been made public, was born 15 days later, on December 22nd, <a href=http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news/local/san_francisco&id=7883617&rss=rss-kgo-article-7883617 target=_blank>at the San Francisco Zoo</a> in California. One thing's for sure: They may be 3,000 miles apart, but these little guys certainly share a common cute factor! <b>•>~</b><br /><br /><b>Update:</b> Hey, cool! Just got word of a third anteater pup to have been born in the last few weeks. This birth took place on December 23rd, <a href=http://www.thelocal.se/31358/20110111/ target=_blank>at the Parken Zoo in Sweden</a>! Fun fact: He's the first giant anteater to have ever been born in that country. Oh, but contrary to what they say in the video below, I don't think he'll be eating ants in captivity. Anyway, welcome to the world, little guy!<br /><br /><center><object type='application/x-shockwave-flash' data='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=176668493' id='rcomVideo_176668493' width='400' height='225'> <param name='movie' value='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=176668493'></param> <param name='allowFullScreen' value='true'></param> <param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param> <param name='wmode' value='transparent'> <embed src='http://www.reuters.com/resources_v2/flash/video_embed.swf?videoId=176668493' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' allowfullscreen='true' allowScriptAccess='always' width='400' height='225' wmode='transparent'></embed> </object></center>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-92076730999489003732011-01-08T23:45:00.000-05:002011-01-09T13:18:29.481-05:00a new year!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TSlMtavFDDI/AAAAAAAAAv8/A0O9JpOMb2I/s1600/mosaic.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 294px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TSlMtavFDDI/AAAAAAAAAv8/A0O9JpOMb2I/s400/mosaic.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560059558120197170" /></a><br />Happy 2011 to all you giant anteater lovers out there. I've got some fun stuff in store for the coming months, so watch this space! For now, enjoy this mosaic anteater that I found as part of an e-card campaign by the World Land Trust. You, too, can <a href=http://www.worldlandtrust.org/send-ecards/card.php?id=13 target=_blank>send this little fella</a> to all your friends! <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-986187428814351965.post-71354266483354352572010-08-08T15:57:00.005-04:002010-08-08T16:14:36.725-04:00just say awww<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TF8O94GHzuI/AAAAAAAAApo/7S52UdNXy7o/s1600/cutebaby.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 391px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_SC6Taxld4T0/TF8O94GHzuI/AAAAAAAAApo/7S52UdNXy7o/s400/cutebaby.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5503133725862907618" /></a><br />It's easier than ever to find photos of anteaters online. If you haven't yet tried out the new Google images interface, definitely do a search on there; you'll be astounded at the variety of shots from around the world for both <a href=http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1080&bih=751&q=giant+anteater&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g1g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai= target=_blank>adults</a> and <a href=http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&source=imghp&biw=1080&bih=751&q=giant+anteater+baby&gbv=2&aq=f&aqi=g1g-m1&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai= target=_blank>baby giant anteaters</a>! <br /><br />And if it's baby anteater mugs that you seek, I've got two additional sites for you: <a href=http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/anteater/ target=_blank>Zooborns' anteater list</a> and this <a href=http://www.buzzfeed.com/anteater/the-ultimate-collection-of-baby-anteater-pictures target=_blank>young anteater photo list</a> from BuzzFeed. Note that these lists both include tamanduas, which—let's face it—are mighty cute as well! <b>•>~</b>Maia / 20Taurihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13354581450672577927noreply@blogger.com1