Bulletin From the Barn: October 28, 2009
Baby Anteater Update From Keeper Marie Magnuson
Cyrano is becoming quite the little man these days. He spends most of his time off his mother Maripi’s back both when they are inside the barn and out in the yard. He will sometimes get a little nervous and run to her and put his front feet on her back as though he is going to climb aboard. He will then pause—I think he's evaluating the situation. If he decides all is well, he puts his feet back down on the ground and continues on his way.
When the keepers go out the barn to bring them inside he is usually on his own, digging and sniffing in the yard. We then go inside and get their dinners and treats and toys all set up for them. It only takes a few minutes, but by the time we open up the door for them to come inside Cyrano is almost always on his mom’s back. When he isn’t, Maripi just comes on in without him. Baby? What baby? We wait a few minutes to see if he will come in on his own and if he doesn’t we send Maripi back out to look for her wandering boy. Occasionally, he finds his own way in.
We have always rung a bell when bringing in the anteaters, in the hopes that they would associate the sound with being fed. I’m not sure how much it has helped. The adults can smell us and the food coming and are ready to come in by the time we get to the barn. They really have an incredible sense of smell and rely on it as humans rely on their ability to see. I don’t think Cyrano has made the connection yet between the bell and food. Or perhaps he would just rather stay outside and play!
Cyrano Is Weaned
The big news is that Maripi seems to have weaned Cyrano. This means that she is no longer feeding him with her milk, and he is eating solid food just like his parents. He has been enjoying treats for a while now, especially mango and peanut butter, but up until about two weeks ago we would see him nurse when they were inside together. Now he sticks his head right into the bowl as soon he sees it and starts eating. Obviously we have had to start giving them a lot more food! We are also feeding them more often.
Cyrano still has the smaller tummy of a youngster so he needs smaller, more frequent meals. We have added a hardboiled egg or two to his diet every week as well. He loves them! In the wild giant anteaters eat the eggs of ground-nesting birds if they find them so it is a natural food for Cyrano to have.
Training for Dante
Things have been happening with Cyrano’s dad, Dante, as well. We are training him to allow us to give him an echocardiogram! This is an ultra sound of the heart. I’ll tell you how it’s going in the next bulletin.
