Brown-throated Sloth
Brown-throated Sloth
Brown-throated Sloth
In the rainforests of Central and South America, you'll find the most common sloth: the brown-throated sloth. With their slow movements and adorable faces, they charm us all. Let's take a closer look at the fascinating ecology of the brown-throated sloth and the environment they inhabit.
Brown-throated Sloth Basic Infomation
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Bradypus variegatus |
| Taxonomic Status | SPECIES |
| Rank | SPECIES |
| Vernacular Names | Brown-throated Sloth |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Pilosa |
| Family | Bradypodidae |
| Genus | Bradypus |
| Habitats | Tropical rainforests from Central to South America |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
Size
They measure about 16.5 to 31.5 inches (42 to 80 centimeters) long and weigh about 4.9 to 14.3 pounds (2.2 to 6.5 kilograms). They are of average size among three-toed sloths.
Lifespan
Their lifespan in the wild is about 30 years, and they can live for over 40 years in captivity.
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Distribution
They are widely distributed from Central America (Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama) to South America (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana).
Brown-throated Sloth Q&A
What kind of sloth is the brown-throated sloth?
The brown-throated sloth is a species of three-toed sloth belonging to the genus Bradypus, widely distributed from Central America to South America.
As their name suggests, they have a brown throat. In English, they are called the 'brown-throated sloth.' They live in the trees of the rainforest and are primarily folivores, meaning they eat leaves. They are known for their slow movements, spending most of their day sleeping. This is an evolutionary adaptation to conserve energy. They also have a low body temperature, which fluctuates with the surrounding temperature, a characteristic of animals called 'poikilotherms'.
How long do brown-throated sloths sleep each day?
Brown-throated sloths sleep for about… 15 to 20 hours a day!
They spend most of their time sleeping, except when they are eating or defecating. Their bodies have a very slow metabolism to conserve energy, so they don't need to be very active. They also have a low body temperature, which fluctuates with the ambient temperature. This is a characteristic of animals called 'poikilotherms'.
What do brown-throated sloths eat?
Brown-throated sloths primarily eat leaves.
They eat a variety of tree leaves, but they particularly like the leaves of the Cecropia tree. Cecropia trees are abundant in the rainforest, and their leaves are soft and easy to digest. They also eat fruits, such as figs, avocados, and mangoes, as well as flowers and buds. They eat only about 50 grams of leaves per day because their very slow metabolism means they don't need much energy. They also rarely drink water, getting most of their moisture from the food they eat.
[Quiz!] How fast can a brown-throated sloth move?
Brown-throated sloths are incredibly slow movers on the ground. Their speed is only... about 7 to 9 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) per minute!
This is slower than a snail! However, they can move faster in the trees. Their front claws are long and sharp, allowing them to grip trees firmly. They use these claws to move slowly but surely through the trees.
[Quiz!] Why is the fur of a brown-throated sloth green?
The fur of a brown-throated sloth is brown or gray, but it can sometimes appear green. This is because algae grow on their fur.
The algae produce nutrients through photosynthesis. It is believed that brown-throated sloths provide a habitat for the algae in exchange for nutrients. The green fur also helps them camouflage in the forest.
[Quiz!] Are brown-throated sloths endangered?
The brown-throated sloth is currently classified as Least Concern and is not considered endangered. However, their rainforest habitat is being lost due to deforestation and agricultural development.
They are also sometimes illegally traded as pets. To protect brown-throated sloths, it is important to conserve their rainforest habitat and eliminate the illegal pet trade.
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Brown-throated Sloth Type of List
Characteristics of the Brown-throated sloth
- Three fingers on each foreleg
- About 16.5 to 31.5 inches (42 to 80 centimeters) long
- Weigh about 4.9 to 14.3 pounds (2.2 to 6.5 kilograms)
- Brown or gray fur
- Fur may appear green due to algae growth
- Primarily eat leaves
- Sleep 15 to 20 hours a day
- Move very slowly on the ground
- Can move faster in trees
Information
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Brown-throated Sloth References
Brown-throated Sloth Introduction of media used
Christian Mehlführer, User:Chmehl, CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Krunal Desai - Wildlife Photography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
D. Gordon E. Robertson, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tauchgurke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
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Brown-throated Sloth
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