Nashville Zoo welcomes baby Tamandua: Skunk-like relative to giant anteaters

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Nashville Zoo welcomed a new friend last week after the birth of a male Southern Tamandua pup.

Southern tamanduas are the arboreal relatives of giant anteaters, according to the zoo. They are known for emitting a signature unpleasant odor as a defense mechanism to ward off predators.

“The pup was born weighing in at 390 grams (nearly a pound) and measuring 16 inches long from snout to tail to first-time mom and dad, Alma and Andre,” the zoo said.

This is Nashville Zoo’s first successful tamandua birth in over five years.

“They were often found sleeping on top of one another in their sleeping area,” said Curator of Behavioral Husbandry Jac Menish. “Once we discovered Alma was pregnant, the pair remained together as long as possible until she was moved to a private space to give birth.”