The prehensile tail of the silky anteater is used as an extra support, freeing its forelimbs, which are armed with a huge claw, to defend itself or rip open small branches in search of ants.

• 二趾食蚁兽全身披有浓厚如丝一般的黄色皮毛，故又有“丝毛食蚁兽”之称。图片中的这只二趾食蚁兽将尾巴盘卷在树干上，这么做可获得一个额外的支持点，进而“解放”前肢。它的前肢生有巨爪，可用作防御武器或者劈开小树枝搜寻蚂蚁。