Details
Bradypus variegatus
The brown-throated sloth is a three-toed sloth that hangs in Neotropical forest canopies. Slow movement and a leafy diet define its low-energy life.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits Neotropical forest, including lowland rainforest, secondary growth, and riparian woodland. Connected canopy is important for movement.
Length 42-80 cm; weight 2.25-6.3 kg. Long arms, three hooked claws, a short tail, and a pale facial pattern are typical. Algae growing in the fur can give a greenish cast.
Cathemeral but extremely slow and solitary, it spends most of its time hanging from branches. It rarely comes to the ground.
A herbivore, it feeds mainly on tree leaves. Slow digestion and low activity match the poor energy content of the diet.
Females give birth to a single young in the trees. The infant clings to the mother's belly while learning food plants and travel routes.
It is listed as Least Concern. It remains widespread, but deforestation and canopy breaks reduce safe movement.
