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2-Toed Sloths
The two species of 2-toed sloths belong to the genus Choloepus. Genera are groups of species with similar characteristics. Scientists organize mammals with similar traits to make it easier to classify and study them. Sloths in the Choloepus genus, for example, all have two digits on their forepaws. The name "2-toed sloth" suggests that these mammals possess two digits off of their hind limbs as well; however, as with all sloths, there are three.
[Two-Toed Sloth Range Map of South and Central America]
2-toed sloths are located in north-western Brazil, northern Bolivia, Ecuador, Guyana, Venezuela, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Columbia, and northern Peru. In these areas, the common name for the 2-toed sloth is "unau". 2-toed sloths are about 23 to 28 inches (58 to 70 centimeters) in length and possess no tail. They weigh between 6.8 to 17.6 pounds (4 to 8 kilograms), with thick hair up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. 2-toed sloths have dark, protuberant snouts and bare, calloused pads at the end of their limbs.
2-toed sloths consume a varied diet of leaves, fruit, and flowers derived from the tropical rainforest trees in which they live. They are easier to keep in captivity than 3-toed sloths and thus are better studied. Both species of 2-toed sloths possess 48 ribs, and the common 2-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) possesses 25 to 26 chest (or "thoracic") vertebrae - more than any other mammal on Earth.
Although generally nocturnal, 2-toed sloths tend to be more physically active than their smaller 3-toed cousins. In one study on Barro Colorado island, the 2-toed sloth was seen to change trees four times more often than the 3-toed sloth in a 24-hour period. However, the same study also observed 2-toed sloths awake less often than 3-toed sloths (only 7.6 hours in a 24-hour period).
Learn More!
- Delve deeper into the differences between Choloepus and Bradypus, also known as the 3-toed sloth.
- Want the facts in brief? Check out our quick Fact Sheet.
- Explore the Amazonian tropical rainforest, home of the sloth and other Xenarthrans.
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