Myrmecophagidae
| Myrmecophagidae Temporal range: | |
|---|---|
| Myrmecophaga tridactyla (giant anteater) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Pilosa |
| Suborder: | Vermilingua |
| Family: | Myrmecophagidae Gray, 1825 |
| Type genus | |
| Myrmecophaga Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Genera | |
The Myrmecophagidae are a family of anteaters. Two genera and three species are in the family, consisting of the giant anteater, and the tamanduas. The fossil Eurotamandua from the Messel Pit in Germany may be an early anteater, but its status is currently debated. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words μύρμηξ (múrmēx), "ant", and φάγος (phágos), "eater".