tamandua

[ tuh-man-doo-uh, tuh-man-doo-ah ]

noun

1. a tree-dwelling, tropical American anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, having a prehensile tail, four-clawed forelimbs, and coarse, tan hair with black markings on the trunk.

tamandua

/ ˈtæmənˌduː; ˌtæmənˈdʊə /

noun

1. a small arboreal edentate mammal, Tamandua tetradactyla, of Central and South America, having a prehensile tail and tubular mouth specialized for feeding on termites: family Myrmecophagidae Also calledlesser anteater

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamandua¹

1605–15; < Portuguese < Tupi: literally, ant-trapper

Word History and Origins

Origin of tamandua¹

C17: via Portuguese from Tupi: ant trapper, from taixi ant + mondê to catch

Example Sentences

A tamandua, or collared anteater, with prizefighter arms and curved claws that break open termite mounds, tried to ignore a car full of onlookers.

From New York Times

The tamandua, also known as the lesser anteater, can be found in trees and on the ground.

From Literature

Featured species there will include a tortoise, an ocelot, a caiman, an anteater known as a tamandua, and, of course, a prehensile-tailed porcupine.

From Seattle Times

They say the baby tamandua needs to develop and won’t make its public debut for another couple months.

From Washington Times

She hopes the new tamandua won’t have any problems and can continue nursing from its mother until it is moved to a specially formulated pelleted feed.

From Washington Times