Aardvarks and Anteaters

[deckardcanine]

Aardvarks and anteaters, both myrmecophagous
(Marked by consumption of termites and ants),
Both having speedy and super-long tongues
With a thick, gooey spit to give insects no chance,
And both having strangely elongated snouts
To make up for poor sight with a keen sense of smell,
Are often assumed to be very close relatives—
Maybe the same. If you really can’t tell,
The anteaters flourish in Latin America,
Not like the aardvarks on African plains.
Four species of anteaters live to this day;
In the order of aardvarks, one species remains.
The aardvarks descended from modified ungulates;
That may explain why their name means “earth pig.”
They chew with real molars, not tooth-like protrusions.
They don’t have much fur, and their ears are quite big.
When anteaters mosey, their gait is uneven,
Protecting their scary long claws from the ground.
I know of more differences; nevertheless,
I have told you enough if you see one around.