Living with Anteaters

Pua at the vet for a check up

Pua wasn't to thrilled she just wanted to sleep. She weighed in at about 17 pounds. She listened to her lungs for long enough to make me nervous but she said they are clear she just wanted to listen well since Pua was taking such shallow breaths(being so sleepy). She even made it a point to feel her belly.

She was able to get blood from her tail. She only got poked twice as the first needle wasn't long enough but I understand she didn't want to go to deep since it was the first time either. It was slow going getting the blood out. Guess their blood pressure is fairly low along with the lower heart rate and temp. She got a clean bill of health.

So we got some and I asked for her retinol and Calcium to be tested but she wasn't sure if their usual lab checks that or if she'd have to send it somewhere else. Blood was good for practice taking blood when it's not an emergency too. To much retinol(vitamin A) is linked to spinal disease in tamanduas. In really advanced cases the spines fuse together. If her levels are higher than wild it'll mean less cheese(retinol) and/or leaner meat(effects calcium/phos ratio and levels) depending on which were high. Only reliable to place to get blood from them is the tail base and a long enough needle.

She wore her pink sweater with hood but we took it off for the exam and she did get chilly and shiver. The ride down and back she was happy to sleep wrapped up in her blankets.

Now recent photos and video

In the clothes basket



Ready for a nap

Resting in her basket

After dinner nap

Did you bring me cheese?

No house time at 12:30AM? Who's stupid rule is that? Open this door.

So I said to him, The black fur is nice but I don't swing that way, get out of my hammock kitty.

She just looked like she was chatting with someone.

Warming up on me under 2 blankets

Late night play time

Edited to take the worst bits of filming out

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Pua was shivering so got a pull over on. She pulled out the draw string but I fixed that later.

Mmm, blue cheese

It's good but thicker than normal

Maybe a nap will warm me up

What are you looking at?

Can I have more cheese?

Getting tired again

A soft place to nap

Could we go for a walk now?

Jake and my dad

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I got excited by valentines stuff on sale and did Pua's photo shoot early and couldn't wait to upload them any longer. The first was best.

Happy Valentines Day!

Want an anteater to pose well place her where you want while she's still half asleep. The first shot was the best.

What's in here?
Blue cheese but she was to tired to care.

No chocolate covered ants?

Why are you torturing me?
Well you wake me up in the middle of the night Pua it's only fair you let me wake you up in the middle of the day sometimes *laughs evilly*

Wait this is blue cheese

I'll just sleep while I have my treat

Anteater torture on film


Then she woke up enough she enjoyed her treat


I really need a nap

I'll just sleep here

Wait is this a blanket?

Goodnight
Not as comfy as my pet house bed but it'll do.

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It was so nice and sunny this morning I was sure I would take Pua. Then it got cloudy and windy. But Pua woke up after 10 and said I'm ready to go. It said 60 outside and turned out to be pretty nice.

Going for a ride

Just point me to the trail
I'm ready to go.

What was that noise?
They were doing construction on the other side of the road but it was echoing around. She freezes in place and listens to decide if the sound is a threat.

Resting in her club house

I wish there were termites

I'm coming out now
Didn't have to climb in to get her this time

Black slime mold on a tree
I thought it was interesting

Looking for bugs

Trying to sniff a sapling

Looking for signs of spring

I want to find a burrow

Checking out a log

Taking the stairs today
She almost needed to be carried back but decided she could do it on her own. Once she hit the parking lot she ran strait for the car.

Passed out on the ride home

Kat nestled in the playpen nest

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In her pocket hammock

I was excited she was in the pocket for a change though she came most of the way out to see if I had treats.

Another new coat
She didn't let me get a photo of her standing up this time but it's got a cut flower embroidery on it. A little snug around her big muscled arms but fits.

Pua getting ketchup video


She's not fat she's just sitting funny
she's got ketchup mouth

Is it done yet?
Waiting for laundry day to be over. after a couple loads she gave up and slept in her hammock. Will stick to putting her in her house in the closet from now on. She sleeps better there.

Anteater in an ant shirt

Sure it's a little tomboy but how could I resist?

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