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Mammals Evolve into Anteaters 12 Times Since Dinosaurs' Demise
6 Aug
Summary
- Mammals have evolved into anteaters 12 times since dinosaurs' extinction
- Anteaters are excellent parents, with mothers carrying young on their backs
- Anteaters leave some ants/termites behind to allow colonies to rebuild
According to a recent study published in the journal Evolution, mammals have evolved into anteaters not once, not twice, but 12 times since the demise of the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago. This remarkable finding suggests that anteaters are a recurring trend in the animal kingdom.
The study's lead author, Thomas Vida from the University of Bonn, explains that this convergent evolution has occurred across different mammal groups, including marsupials and egg-laying monotremes, all of which have adapted to consume the abundant population of ants and termites. These animals have evolved long, sticky tongues, reduced or missing teeth, and strong forelimbs to break into insect nests, allowing them to thrive on this plentiful food source.
Interestingly, anteaters are not only fascinating creatures but also practice sustainable living. Unlike many other predators, they do not consume all the ants or termites in a nest, but leave some behind so the colony can rebuild itself. This makes them the epitome of eco-friendly behavior, something humans could potentially learn from if they were to evolve similar traits in the future.
