GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Three-toed tree sloths live in Central and South America. Species are found in Mexico, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Suriname, Venezuela, French Guiana, and Guyana. Monk sloths live only on Escudo de Veraguas Island off the coast of Panama.
HABITAT
Three-toed sloths live primarily in forests. They are located in rainforests, where heavy rain throughout the year produces abundant growth. Some species also live in dry forests and coniferous forests where leaves are green year-round. In addition, sloths have been found living in trees in parks and pastures.
DIET
Three-toed sloths are herbivores and eat the leaves and shoots of trees. Sloths move slowly because their diet of leaves produces little energy. To make up for the lack of energy, sloths have a low body temperature of 86° to 90°F (30° to 34°C).
THREE-TOED TREE SLOTHS AND PEOPLE
Three-toed sloths can be important to medical research because they heal quickly and do not get infections easily. Scientists are interested to know why this is.
CONSERVATION STATUS
The maned sloth is ranked as Endangered by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). This species faces threats of becoming extinct in the future because habitat is lost as trees are cut down in forests. Hunting also reduces the population.
User Comments Add a comment…
6 months ago
i had to do a project on the sloth and i found your site the most helpful. thank you very much! although i still have not found the adaptaions of the sloth and its life cycle.. if you could please help me i would appriciate it!!
12 months ago
Thanks for this website I am working on a school project and this is giving me some great information!!! Thanks to the author and the editor!!! Rock on I LOVE SLOTHS!!!!!!!!!
about 1 year ago
i love sloths and this website was a big help thank u very much i truely am thankfull and i love u who every made this web site thank u anyhow i have to go touch myself bye bye