Anteaters have a long head with a long, tubular mouth and long tongue, but no teeth. The giant anteater, weighs up to 39 kg (86 lb). It lives in forests and swampy areas and on open plains. The coarse coat is gray, with a white-bordered black stripe on each shoulder. The front claws, used to tear open termite mounds and for defense, are so long that they are tucked under, and the animal walks on its knuckles. The long tongue flicks rapidly in and out of the small mouth opening, scooping up termites or other insects on its sticky surface.