BOISE — Zoo Boise officials have announced the birth of a baby anteater. Both the mother (named Gloria), and the soon-to-be-named baby are doing great -- and temperatures have now warmed up enough for them to make their public debut.
At birth, the baby anteater weighed just over two pounds. Gloria carries her baby on her back and their stripes match up to provide camouflage in the wild, according to a Zoo Boise news release.
“Gloria gave birth in January and Zoo Boise staff have been carefully monitoring the baby’s growth and, with Gloria’s help, making sure it has everything it needs to thrive,” the release stated.
To celebrate the addition, the Zoo will host a “gender reveal party” on Saturday, March 16 at 3 p.m. The party will be open to the public and both mom and baby will be on exhibit throughout Spring Break, weather permitting.
“The anteaters will be visible to the public in a temporary exhibit location near the zoo carousel at Zoo Boise. The main anteater exhibit is under construction. It’s expected to open later this year,” the release said.
Zoo Boise anteaters Gloria and McCauley, the baby’s father, were paired together by the Species Survival Plan. This is Gloria’s third baby and McCauley’s second.
The typical gestational period for an anteater is about 183 days, or about six months.
(photo courtesy: Zoo Boise)
