The ears are small and rounded, and the eyes are small. The tails are long and prehensile in 2 of the 3 genera. The forelimbs are remarkable. They have 5 digits, each with long and sharp claws , the third claw being especially well developed. The hind feet are less specialized, with 4 or 5 toes and strong but not remarkable claws.
All species have some sort of contrasting color pattern.
Besides its extreme elongation, the skull of anteaters is remarkable because it completely lacks teeth. The jugal is small or absent, and the zygomatic arch is incomplete. The premaxillae are small, but the the lacrimals are large and well developed. The mouth opening is tubular and very small. The mandibles are long, thin, and weak.