Swimming in the Northern Tamandua ( Tamandua mexicana ) in Panama

Abstract

The ability to swim has been well documented in many species of the order Xenarthra but the literature implies that wild Tamandua anteaters avoid the water. On 26 January 2010, while driving a boat across the Panama Canal (9°10’40”N, 79°50’1”W), the authors witnessed an adult T. mexicana swimming 120 m offshore, in a straight line towards Barro Colorado Island, still 280 m away. The tamandua was swimming without any difficulty and its choice of crossing the canal at a very narrow point suggests that the animal had knowledge of the topography. It is very likely that other crossing points exist and that there is regular exchange between populations of tamanduas living on the mainland and the island, as is the case with other mammals.