Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth
ExploreMammals
Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth
Choloepus didactylus
Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth is a slow-moving animal that loves to hang upside down in trees. They have long arms and a cozy, furry body that helps them stay safe in the rainforest.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth has shaggy, coarse brown-grey fur, often with a greenish tint from algae, and a distinctive dark eye mask. Its two long, powerful claws on each front foot make it easily identifiable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPilosaFamilyMegalonychidaeGenusCholoepus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
A sloth's fur grows in the opposite direction, pointing from belly to back!
Sloths only leave their tree canopy to go to the bathroom about once a week!
Their body temperature can change, making them feel warm or cool like a plant!
They have extra neck vertebrae allowing their head to turn almost 270 degrees!
Special abilities
Ability
Upside-Down Master
Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth can hang upside down for 90% of its life because of special ankle joints and strong claws that allow an unbreakable grip.
Ability
Metabolism Maestro
Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth has an incredibly slow metabolism that helps it conserve energy, making the most of its leafy diet.
Ability
Algae Camouflage
Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth has fur that hosts green algae, which helps them blend into the leafy rainforest canopy.
Ability
Swim Surprise
Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth can swim surprisingly well because of powerful arm strokes that propel them through water.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 50-70 cm
- Weight
- 4-8 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Top Speed
- 1.5 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 300-360 days
Watch
Diet & Feeding
This slow-moving mammal munches mainly on leaves, buds, and fruits found high in the trees.
Primary Foods
- leaves
- buds
- fruit
- flowers
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Jaguar
Panthera onca
A top predator of the rainforest canopy.
eaten by
Harpy Eagle
Harpia harpyja
Powerful bird of prey snatching sloths from trees.
symbiotic with
Sloth Moth
Cryptoses choloepi
Moth lives in sloth fur, laying eggs in dung.
symbiotic with
Sloth Algae
Trichophilus welckeri
Provides camouflage for the sloth in the canopy.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Arboreal
Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators.
Camouflaged
Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Rainforest
This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Sloth
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch from a distance and don't try to touch wild animals like sloths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth?
50-70 cm
How much does Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth weigh?
4-8 kg
How long does Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth live?
15-20 years
How fast can Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth move?
1.5 km/h
What does Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth eat?
This slow-moving mammal munches mainly on leaves, buds, and fruits found high in the trees.
Where is Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth usually found?
Forests
How does Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth usually have?
1
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
Zoo30 sightings21 species
Louisiana, US
Alexandria Zoological Park
You might spot Linnaeus's Two-Toed Sloth and Corn Snake.
View guide →
Zoo15 sightings12 species
Tennessee, US
Memphis Zoo
You might spot Azure-Winged Magpie, Pygmy Falcon, and Red Ruffed Lemur.
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Zoo11 sightings10 species
Iowa, US
Blank Park Zoo
You might spot African Lion, Sheep, and Giraffes.
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