Topline:
First-time parents Micah and Lou are celebrating the birth of their bundle of joy: an unnamed tamandua pup, which is a first at the Los Angeles Zoo. Tamanduas are smaller anteaters with a tapered head, long, wet nose and pointy tongue.
The birth: “This is a significant birth for the Zoo,” said Mallory Peebles, senior animal keeper at the Los Angeles Zoo. “This is the first time L.A. Zoo visitors will have the opportunity to see the species as a neonate and observe its development over time.”
Micah and Lou were paired together on the recommendation of the Southern Tamandua Species Survival Plan. Even though the species, native to South America, is not currently threatened, human activities like deforestation and road development are threatening their natural habitats.
Micah and pup are recovering well, with Micah taking to motherhood and being spotted cuddling her baby and carrying the pup on her back. Tamanduas often carry their pups on their backs in the first few months. Pups reach sexual maturity in one year, and then they leave the nest.
The pregnancy: Micah’s pregnancy lasted 164 days — typically a gestation period can be between 130 to 190 days. Micah didn’t mind the cold ultrasound gel, allowing veterinarians to perform exams without the need for sedation. This allowed the care team to monitor Micah’s health as well as the pup’s development.
For visitors: You can observe the new family at the nursery next to the Winnick Family Children’s Zoo.