From Encyclopedia Jr, free information reference for Kids
The two extant species of two-toed sloths are Linnaeus's and Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth. However, the name "two-toed" for these sloths is a misnomer as they both have three toes; they only have two fingers, though. They are the only members of the genus Choloepus and the only living members of the family Megalonychidae. They are very closely related to the somewhat smaller and generally faster moving three-toed sloths. Both types 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] Species
[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, 101. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
