Giant anteaters can mate throughout the year.
During courtship, a male consorts with an estrous female, following and sniffing her.
Male and female pairs are known to feed at the same insect nest.
While mating, the female lies on her side as the male crouches over her.
A couple may stay together for up to three days and mate several times during that period.
Gestation lasts around 190 days and ends with the birth of a single pup, which typically weighs around 1.4 kg (3.1 lb).
Females give birth standing upright.

Pups are born with eyes closed and begin to open them after six days.
The mother carries its dependent pup on its back.
The pup's black and white band aligns with its mother's, camouflaging it.
The young communicate with their mothers with sharp whistles and use their tongues during nursing.
After three months, the pup begins to eat solid food and is fully weaned by ten months.
The mother grooms her offspring during rest periods lasting up to an hour.
Grooming peaks during the first three months and declines as the young reaches nine months of age, ending by ten months.
The decline mirrors that of the weakening bond between mother and offspring; young anteaters usually become independent by nine or ten months.
Anteaters are sexually mature in 2.5–4 years.
Giant anteaters can mate throughout the year. During courtship, a male consorts with an estrous female, following and sniffing her. Male and female pairs are known to feed at the same insect nest. While mating, the female lies on her side as the male crouches over her. A couple may stay together for up to three days and mate several times during that period. Gestation lasts around 190 days and ends with the birth of a single pup, which typically weighs around 1.4 kg (3.1 lb). Females give birth standing upright.
Pups are born with eyes closed and begin to open them after six days. The mother carries its dependent pup on its back. The pup's black and white band aligns with its mother's, camouflaging it. The young communicate with their mothers with sharp whistles and use their tongues during nursing. After three months, the pup begins to eat solid food and is fully weaned by ten months. The mother grooms her offspring during rest periods lasting up to an hour. Grooming peaks during the first three months and declines as the young reaches nine months of age, ending by ten months. The decline mirrors that of the weakening bond between mother and offspring; young anteaters usually become independent by nine or ten months. Anteaters are sexually mature in 2.5–4 years.
Giant anteater