Tree-living toothless anteater Tamandua tetradactyla found in tropical forests and tree savannah from southern Mexico to Brazil. About 56 cm/1.8 ft long with a prehensile tail of equal length, it uses its strong foreclaws to break into nests of tree ants and termites, which it licks up with its narrow tongue.
Red and white are the traditional colours of South East Asia. The blue canton recalls the British Empire and represents unity. Yellow is the colour of the Sultans of Malaysia. Effective date: 16 September 1963.