The brown-throated sloth is a species of three-toed sloth native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, and the most widespread of the three-toed sloths, known for its extremely slow movement, a result of an unusually low metabolic rate adapted to a low-energy diet of leaves. It spends nearly all its life hanging upside down in the forest canopy using long curved claws, descending to the ground only rarely, roughly once a week, to defecate. Algae often grows in its coarse fur, giving many individuals a greenish tinge that helps camouflage them among the leaves, and this algae supports a small ecosystem of moths and other invertebrates living in the sloth's coat. The species remains widespread across its range and is classified as being of least concern.
Facts
Classification
System (Realm) Relationship to PeopleNo Significant Interaction with Humans 4 Living or Extinct Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceThe brown-throated sloth is of similar size and build to most other species of three-toed sloths, with both males and females being 42 to 80 cm (17 to 31 in) in total body length. 1 Comparison
CITES Appendix CITES Appendix Scientific Name Conservation Status Connections
Child Taxon Of
In Biome
Source Brown-throated Sloth (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Brown-throated Sloth (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. Brown-throated Sloth (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead sentence, scientific name in parentheses
The brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is a species of three-toed sloth found in the Neotropical realm of Central and South America.
Description section, physical appearance sentences
The brown-throated sloth is of similar size and build to most other species of three-toed sloths, with both males and females being 42 to 80 cm (17 to 31 in) in total body length.
Infobox: status
LC
- In Biome: Tropical Rainforest, Wikipedia 'Brown-throated sloth': found in the forests of South and Central America
In Ecosystem: Atlantic Forest, Taxonomy
The seven recognized subspecies of the brown-throated sloth, although these are not all readily distinguishable, are: B. v. boliviensis Gray, 1871 Western Amazon B. v. brasiliensis Blainville, 1840 Southern Atlantic Forest in coastal Brazil B. v. ephippiger Philippi, 1870 The Trans-Andean regions of Central America B. v. gorgon Thomas, 1926 Gorgona Island, off the Pacific coast
View the Source 2. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
3. GBIF Species API
4. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Bradypus variegatus (Animal Diversity Web)
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyEconomic Importance for Humans
There are no known adverse effects of Bradypus variegatus on humans.
Conservation Status: CITES
CITES No special status
View the Source 5. Brown-throated Sloth (Wikidata)
WikidataInfobox: status2
CITES_A2
Statements section, conservation status (P141)
IUCN Red List conservation status (Wikidata property P141): least concern.
Wikidata Q148752 (P1034 main food source): leaf
Main food source (Wikidata property P1034): leaf.
View the Source Wikidata: Brown-throated Sloth
Wikidata Q148752, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source Catalogue of Life
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