The term 'anteater' refers to a group of mammals that includes the AARDVARK (8 letters), SILKY anteater (5 letters), ECHIDNA (7 letters), and PANGOLIN (8 letters). These animals are characterized by their long snouts and tongues, which they use to feed on ants and other small insects. They also have SPINY (5 letters) or scaly (5 letters) fur, and the numbat (6 letters) is the only species that is exclusively carnivorous. All of these animals are native to the Americas, Africa, and Australia.