Tamandua tetradactyla is adaptable to a variety of habitats, including gallery forests adjacent to savannas, lowland and montane moist tropical rain forest (Eisenberg 1989), as well as mangroves and coastal environments, such as restingas (Molina 2021). It also occurs in degraded or disturbed forests, forest fragments, periurban forests and even urban settings. Typically, this solitary species has pale tan or golden fur with a black vest, but uniformly tan to black colouration also occurs (Wetzel 1985). Recent studies have shown that significant morphological differences exist between the subpopulations north and south of the Amazon River (F. Miranda pers. comm. 2013). It mainly feeds on ants and termites, but also attacks bee nests to eat honey (Emmons and Feer 1990). The female gives birth to a single young once per year (Silveira 1968).

Tamandua tetradactyla is found to the east of the Andes from Colombia, Venezuela, Trinidad Island, and the Guianas (French Guiana, Guyana, and Suriname), south through Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay to northern Uruguay and northern Argentina. It ranges from sea level to 2,000 m Asl (Emmons and Feer 1990).

Tamandua tetradactyla is present in many protected areas. Further systematic studies on T. tetradactyla are needed to investigate population densities and dynamics in different parts of its range. Studbooks for captive tamanduas exist in some range countries (Brazil: Projeto Tamanduá; international: ALPZA), and a population management plan has been established in AZA zoos.