Notes on Food Habits of Armadillos (Cingulata, Dasypodidae) and Anteaters (Pilosa, Myrmecophagidae) at Serra Da Capivara National Park (PiauÍ State, Brazil)

A rare study on the dietary habits of armadillos and anteaters in Brazil's Caatinga biome reveals that invertebrates, particularly termites (Isoptera) and ants/hymenopterans, form the primary food source for six species: nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), seven-banded armadillo (D. septemcinctus), pichiciego (Euphractus sexcinctus), giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla), southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla), and three-banded armadillo (Tolypeutes tricinctus). Surprisingly, seeds were also a significant component in the diets of most species, including the giant anteater and southern tamandua. Researchers analyzed fecal and stomach samples from individuals at Serra da Capivara National Park to uncover these insights, contributing critical data on the ecological roles of these mammals in the Caatinga ecosystem.

Vaz, V. C., Santori, R. T., Jansen, A. M., Delciellos, A. C., & D’Andrea, P. S. (2012). Notes on Food Habits of Armadillos (Cingulata, Dasypodidae) and Anteaters (Pilosa, Myrmecophagidae) at Serra Da Capivara National Park (PiauÍ State, Brazil). Edentata, 13(1), 84–89. https://doi.org/10.5537/020.013.0107