Living with Anteaters

My adventure was so exciting I'll tell you about it myself. Cinco's not the only one who can have an adventure. I've been getting a bit stir crazy. It even snowed yesterday morning so it was a pleasant surprise when I got to go for a hike today.

We decided to try the Pua Trail. We've named it that ourselves because it's my favorite but it becomes impassable in winter. Boy winter was not nice to my old friend. The river had jumped it's banks and washed parts away and rearranged others. The trail head was washed out and was a little cliff instead down to the trail but Grandma managed it so we got to go.

Off on my grand adventure

It was so nice I found ants.

Since we were not sure of the weather I started off in a sweater but let mom know I wanted it off by scratching at it.

We passed a couple people sitting on logs on the way down the trail who let us know there might be others and a dog. So I got startled once when I heard a dog barking from a car on the highway but it wasn't after me.

I might find more ants

Exploring the logs was fun. They are a better trail than the people trails.

I went into the hallow under the fallen tree briefly but I had better things to do than sit around in a dank hole today.

This was growing on the rim of the hole

We came across a big tree blocking the path. Mom tried to go around the wrong way and everything was boggy and wild looking. I showed her to go around on the river side where the roots were. I knew the right way to go because it was my tree.

Goodbye old hallow tree
It was my favorite old hallow tree but it fell inland instead of into the river as expected.

I couldn't go inside any more but I did check out under the roots

Shortly though we came to another tree down across what was left of the trail and we had to turn around. I wasn't happy about that but Grandma wouldn't have been able to get over it. I was hoping to go to my swimming spot. I rarely swim but that spot is the best since the water gets warmed on the rocks in the shallows.

So I kept trying to go down to the river but most of it is too steep along there. Mom realized this one spot was my little sunning rock spot by the river after a moment of my insisting but she had to move a branch for me to get down there.

I usually just get on the rock and test the water with my nose, deem it too cold and sit for a bit before moving on but I thought it felt nice and wanted to try going in.

So I went in the river but mom kept the leash short so I couldn't go out far. I really wanted to swim but she was scared the water was too swift. She did come down after the video stopped and let me go in a bit up stream of her and I swam out and drifted past her and she pulled me to shore but kept me within reach just in case of trouble. I could have swam more under the bridge but that last dip satisfied me. That water was cold but invigorating.


After I swam I got back on the trail and tried climbing up mom's leg. Mom thought I was confused but I wanted to dry myself off on her nice absorbent clothes.

Then we finally ran into those people we were warned about but I didn't see a dog. I stopped right in front of one of them and just squat down and mostly closed my eyes. I thought I'd let them bask in my glory as I basked in the sun for a bit. Hey I was being nice normally I want to just keep running past.

Mom wasn't sure what to make of this. She couldn't encourage me to move so offered me my bag. After a bit I stuck my head in but was half asleep and not sure what to do. She helped boost me in and she carried me past everyone. Towards the end of them we saw the dog with a lady holding him in the bushes so he'd not bother me. I hung half out of the bag then hugging mom peaking around. Once I knew it was safe I jumped out and kept going on my own.

Exploring after a swim

Pua tamandua looking for ants

Digging a mossy log

Here's an article about tamandua's swimming the Panama Canal http://agoutienterprise.wordpress.com/2010/11/26/you-never-know-who-youll-meet-in-the-panama-canal/
There have been many photos of tamandua swimming. It floods a lot in many parts of South America so swimming is a good skill to have. We swim well by propelling ourselves with our tails.

Ready to be home

Posing for a photo

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Cinco was too active and keeping Aurora awake so she tried taking him for a ride to make him sleepy. That didn't work. Instead he kept climbing off and running away from her to explore. She had to chase him down and kept trying to hold him still so she could sleep.

Cinco in the cat house

Cinco on the move

Time for a nap
But I don't wanna.

He kept running off and she kept chasing him down and bringing him back.

Baby tamandua exploring
About 3.5 months old(13 weeks)

Cinco refusing nap time

Could I ride on your butt?
Quasi: OMG, get it away!

Cinco chased him around and up the hall wanting on his butt, ha. I had to pick him up to rescue Quasi. Aurora had given up on chasing him down, at least for awhile.

Cinco on my butt

Cinco on my back
He liked that best and sat there while I changed batteries in the camera.

Aurora had given up on chasing him around and stayed sitting on the cat house awhile.

Holding baby Cinco

Okay we'll explore a little more

Aurora and Cinco in the living room

Cinco takes off again

Cinco's Adventure part 3

Mom and Cinco in the living room. Song is We've been had by Huffamoose - figured since the band no longer exists there will be no one to complain I used it and wanted to cover the Ads that were playing on the radio in the living room.

Something is off about this window

Cinco on the bed
Aurora went under and he came up top

Cinco checking me out

That's not a dog!
Meeting Kat for the first time

Cinco's Adventure part 4 - baby tamandua meets cat

Last part. Cinco meets Kat who in case you can't tell is a cat ;) Poor Aurora is getting sooo tired but Cinco just keeps running off.

Would you hold still!
Aurora tries to hold Cinco under the bed for a nap

Aurora gives up and tries to nap anyway

Cinco can't sit still

Aurora checking out the box spring
She didn't harm it

I just want to nap
Babies are so much trouble

Mom's trick take baby for a ride to try and get him to nap, did not work.

Baby Cinco eats some real food
He drank a bunch of water and was clawing around mom's bowl but he has no interest in her soup. So I gave him some beef food that has soaked in vinegar and ready to be blended. He liked that. Looks like he'll be on solid foods before his mom is.

"I was on the platform having my cheese treat when Aurora came by. Well I told her she couldn't come up cause I was eating so she waited in the basket. Then Cinco came up.

I lifted my claw at him a couple times but didn't want to stop eating my cheese. Cheese is so important. Then he stuck in nose in the cup and started sharing. At first I didn't do anything. Kind of reminded me how Stewie was always trying to share my treats but then I realized this isn't Stewie and he was stealing my cheese so I gave him a light smack and he backed down to him mom. Someone has to teach him some manners and I can't trust his mom to do it, she doesn't have any." ~ Pua

Aurora had another restless day and kept changing sleeping spots. She tried the cage hammock even.

Baby tamandua palm

Cinco in the hammock

Hey there!

Triumphant Pua

She headed into the closet to have some cheese. Aurora came out of the nest and got in her face, sniffing to see what was going on then growled her into leaving. Pua camped out on the window shelf till she figured Aurora was back to sleep. she got her cheese and sat on the wall a long time before sneaking past Aurora to come down the closet shelves.

Cinco vs the cage round 2

Aurora went in the cage hammock to try and nap but Cinco was to active and she went to eat. Cinco couldn't figure out how to get out so she came back in and that's where the video starts. Aurora still wishes she had hands to grab the boy with.

Later she came to take the princess hammock but Pua was already in it for laundry day. Aurora thought she'd give climbing in the hammock with Pua a try. Pua said no and fought her off. Pua managed to hold her ground and Aurora had to settle for the basket this time.

Cinco was used to having the hammock so came up and tried to get in. Pua growled and thrashed about inside and Cinco climbed around the outside for awhile before he gave up and went back to the basket. H came up a second time and Pua hung out of the hammock and shoved him back down into the basket.

Eventually Aurora took a spin around the house then came up the pole. She stood on top of the pole one foot on it and one on the hammock and managed to chase Pua out.

Cinco napping in the clothes basket

you peeking at me?

Yesterday she took Cinco out again. Again he didn't want to set still. She tried holding and pulling him by his tail but he'd slip free. She'd chase him down and grab his hips but he kept squirming free. She got really frustrated and tried standing on him feet and hands. Kinda looked like she was trying to ride him for a change. This held him still for s short while but wasn't very nice. She gave up and followed him around and tried to nap where he was.

Eventually she napped in the back of the back closet when he didn't seem to be straying as far. I wound up with him. I was on the floor and he kept climbing onto my shoulders and then my head. I guess she liked my "fur" and was cleaning my ears. We did this for awhile then I gave him back and I think he nursed and they both napped for a bit before she returned with him to my room.

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April 11
There was the loud clanging of a metal bowl falling to the floor and I thought Aurora found a new way to ask for food but when I looked up I saw Cinco on "attacking" while she lay back, elbow in the food bowl playfighting back. Nice to see her having some fun. (It was the water bowl that fell.)

April 14th
Paparazzi invaded but I got to run around till 4am so it wasn't that bad.

April16

Aurora on the bedroom curtain rod

I told her this wasn't a good idea. Cinco got squished between her and the ceiling when she went between the rod and the ceiling. Then she couldn't get down so I lifted the basket up for her to get into.

Cinco plunged off the shelf when Aurora went to the window shelf. He bounced off the cat house and into the dirt box. He was fine and only cried out when I picked him up and hit the resistance of his tail holding the cat box rim. Aurora was grateful for his return as she wasn't sure what to do.

Cinco and mommy Aurora

Baby tamandua on mom

Cinco wants to be on mom's back but can't due to the ceiling being to low

april 17th

"Cinco fell again onto the clothes hanging and mom helped boost him back across to Aurora. He fell once off the wall and was hanging from the closet door frame and mom helped him back up. Then they were at my hammock for awhile then went down into the basket. I was playing with mom on the platform and Cinco came up onto it and sniffed my leg. I checked him out and played with mom and checked him out and mom kept telling me to be nice so I finally pounced on him with my front claws. Cinco hissed and mom chewed me out for attacking him and he retreated to the hammock. I left in a huff. Seriously everyone over reacted I just wanted to play with him too. Mom apologized but said even if I was playing I need to take it slower since he's just a baby. Well, he needs to hurry and be a man already 'cuz I'm feeling all hormonal.

So Aurora and Cinco went back to the closet but she was coming out for food and mom was giving it to her on the floor. Cinco got off and went back to the closet then cried out "Mommy, come help!" Once he was under the stool in the closet. Aurora charged over to the closet ready to fight the big bad.. eh, stool? Like what's the problem again? Cinco climbed back onto her butt and she took him back to the nest. Then she came out to eat a second time and this time Cinco was puffy crying for a bit wandering around before he ran for the closet crying out as he went. Aurora again charged over but again the only problem was he wanted to be back in the nest. Mom does feed her on the shelf but Aurora is to impatient to wait for her to bring it sometimes so comes out." ~Pua

April 18th
Cinco play and explore

Cinco in the closet with Aurora

April 19th
Now we learn to tear into logs for bugs

Aurora startled by the neighbor's dog bark
Cinco makes his move

Tried to get all 3 in the shot
Pua eating, Aurora still nervous about the new dog though it only barked once, But look at Cinco

He's out'a here
Aurora frozen, Pua eating and Cinco takes off.

Hey come back here!
She tried grabbing his tail in both claws and pulling but then realized she didn't want him to fall so let him go.

I remember this from when I was little. It still tastes the same

Now this looks interesting

don't make me come after you young man!

Climb on, it's time to go home

I said climb on not go under
But this book smells interesting.

Pua Tamandua takes a vinegar bath

Pua splashed some and was rubbing it in so I helped her out with more. She does this from time to time. In the wild they would get swarmed with ants spitting acid on them when feeding. some species of birds are known to sit on ant nests or rub ants into their feathers. Must feel good. Pua took a short nap after.

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