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What Is a Three-Toed Sloth?

Marjorie McAtee
Marjorie McAtee

The three-toed sloth, or Bradypus tridactylus, is a nocturnal animal native to Central and South American jungles. These animals typically spend most of their time among the lower branches of trees, though they sometimes move to the tops of trees in order to enjoy sunlight. The three-toed sloth's name probably comes from its habit of moving about very slowly, a trait that biologist think helps to hide the animal from predators.

The average three-toed sloth has long, brown or gray fur, from which green-colored algae may grow. These animals are usually about 2 feet (61 centimeters) long and weight about 8.75 pounds (4 kilograms). The typical sloth will have a stubby, flattened head, a shortened muzzle, large eyes, and very small ears.

Three-toed sloths live in South and Central America.
Three-toed sloths live in South and Central America.

These jungle animals usually spend between 15 and 18 hours asleep each day. They normally sleep while hanging upside down from the branches of trees. The typical three-toed sloth has three powerful, talon-like claws on each foot, which it uses to cling to the branches of the trees in which it lives. These animals usually move about most at night, although they will sometimes move to the tops of trees during the day to sun themselves. This behavior can render them vulnerable to one of their two natural predators, the harpy eagle.

The jaguar, a tree cat native to the same jungle regions as the three-toed sloth, sometimes also feeds on these animals. Biologists believe that the algae growing in the typical sloth's fur can help it better hide itself from such predators.

Some scientists believe that sloths' slow movements actually protect them from predators.
Some scientists believe that sloths' slow movements actually protect them from predators.

These animals feed mostly on fruit, shoots, and leaves. Their favorite food appears to be cecropia leaves. They don't usually drink much water, and instead rely mostly on the moisture found in their food. The average three-toed sloth will come down from its arboreal home to bury its droppings once every seven to 14 days. Biologists believe that infrequent defecation helps the three-toed sloth cut down on its water needs.

The three-toed sloth has three, powerful claws on each foot.
The three-toed sloth has three, powerful claws on each foot.

The young of these animals generally remain with their mothers for about nine months after birth. This time is also spent in the trees. Sloths usually remain in the trees almost constantly, since they're generally incapable of moving efficiently on the ground. When moving on the ground, the three-toed sloth is typically reduced to pulling itself along using the claws of its front feet. They can, however, usually swim very well and are often observed dropping into the water from their perches in the trees above.

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Discussion Comments

Rotergirl

The Memphis Zoo has a sloth, and it's one of the most popular animals! They never have a problem getting sponsors for the sloth. They are fun to watch and always seem to be in a good mood.

The keeper at the Memphis Zoo says their two-toed sloth can be a little moody, but the three-toed just takes life as it comes, and doesn't get upset by much of anything.

Sort of an example of why moving slow and not getting in a hurry seems to reduce stress.

Pippinwhite

There's something appealing about sloths. I think it's because they look like they're smiling all the time. I don't think anyone needs to keep a sloth as a pet, but they are popular in zoos, I know.

I saw a PBS documentary about a tribal village in the jungle near the Amazon in South America, and the village had a pet sloth that crawled around in the rafters of their council lodge. I assume they fed it, or gave it access to food. The sloth just went from rafter to rafter, and seemed perfectly happy and at home. Of course, the lodge was open on one side and the sloth was in its native country, so it wasn't completely out of its element.

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    • Three-toed sloths live in South and Central America.
      By: wildnerdpix
      Three-toed sloths live in South and Central America.
    • Some scientists believe that sloths' slow movements actually protect them from predators.
      By: hotshotsworldwide
      Some scientists believe that sloths' slow movements actually protect them from predators.
    • The three-toed sloth has three, powerful claws on each foot.
      By: hotshotsworldwide
      The three-toed sloth has three, powerful claws on each foot.