Three-toed sloth

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Three-toed sloths
Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Pilosa Suborder: Folivora Family: Bradypodidae Genus: Bradypus Linnaeus, 1758
Species
Bradypus pygmaeus Bradypus torquatus Bradypus tridactylus Bradypus variegatus

The three-toed sloths are the only members of the Bradypus genus and the Bradypodidae family. They are very closely related to the somewhat larger and generally slower moving two-toed sloths. Both types of sloth tend to occupy the same forests: in most areas, a particular single species of three-toed sloth and a single species of the larger two-toed type will jointly predominate.

[edit] Habitat

A while ago, three-toed sloths were believed to have lived only in Cecropia trees, locally known as Embauba trees. Now, further research shows that they also live in at least 96 other tree species. The original assumption was based on the fact that the Cecropia trees have a relatively open canopy, and it is easy to notice a sloth inhabiting these trees.

The three-toed sloth is unlike other mammals because it is incapable of keeping its body temperature constant, much like a snake or any reptile. Because of this, coupled with the fact that its body temperature goes down as the air temperature goes down, the three-toed sloth is only able to live in humid and warm environments.

Usually, a male sloth will stay on one tree his whole life. However, female sloths move around. This is because a female sloth will leave her tree after giving birth to its offspring, giving her tree to her offspring.

[edit] Species

• Family Bradypodidae
  • Genus Bradypus
    • Pygmy Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus)
    • Maned Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus torquatus)
    • Pale-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus)
    • Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

[edit] References

• Gardner, Alfred (November 16, 2005). Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds) Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 100-101. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
• "Three-Toed Sloth". Wildlife Fact-File. (1991).