Three toed sloth
Bradypus tridactylus
Where is it found?
Coastal forests
Diet and foraging method
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They use their forearms to bring branches close to their mouths to more easily reach leaves to eat.
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Key adaptations
The Sloths diet doesn’t provide it with much energy, so they can only move very slowly. Therefore, instead of running from predators they use camouflage. Their hair collects algae making them appear green, they then stay still all day, blending in to the environment.
They have strong hook-like claws that help them climb and grip onto branches.They have long, grey hairs that point downwards when the sloths are hanging upside down, which ensures that rainwater runs off their fur easily.
They have strong hook-like claws that help them climb and grip onto branches.They have long, grey hairs that point downwards when the sloths are hanging upside down, which ensures that rainwater runs off their fur easily.
Social organisation and mating system
Solitary
Polygynous
Did you know that...?
Three-toed Sloths spend most of their time hanging from trees, but once or twice a week they come down to the ground to excrete or move tree.
Taxonomy
Picture credits:
Maps from: http://species.mol.org/species/
"Bradypus tridactylus -Parque del Este, Caracas, Venezuela-8" by Fernando Flores - Pale-throated sloth | Perezoso de tres dedos (Bradypus tridactylus)Uploaded by snowmanradio. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8.jpg#/media/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8.jpg
"Bradypus tridactylus -Parque del Este, Caracas, Venezuela-8 (2)" by Fernando Flores - Pale-throated sloth | Perezoso de tres dedos (Bradypus tridactylus)Uploaded by snowmanradio. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8_(2).jpg#/media/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8_(2).jpg
"Ai-drawing". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ai-drawing.jpg#/media/File:Ai-drawing.jpg
"Bradypus tridactylus -Parque del Este, Caracas, Venezuela-8" by Fernando Flores - Pale-throated sloth | Perezoso de tres dedos (Bradypus tridactylus)Uploaded by snowmanradio. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8.jpg#/media/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8.jpg
"Bradypus tridactylus -Parque del Este, Caracas, Venezuela-8 (2)" by Fernando Flores - Pale-throated sloth | Perezoso de tres dedos (Bradypus tridactylus)Uploaded by snowmanradio. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8_(2).jpg#/media/File:Bradypus_tridactylus_-Parque_del_Este,_Caracas,_Venezuela-8_(2).jpg
"Ai-drawing". Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ai-drawing.jpg#/media/File:Ai-drawing.jpg
