Sloth
Statut U.I.C.N
Union Internationale pour la Conservation de la Nature
- lc Préoccupation mineure
- nt Quasi menacé
- vu Vulnérable
- en En danger
- cr En danger critique
- ew Éteint dans la nature
- ex Éteint
Carte d'identité
- Classe :
- Mammals
- Ordre :
- Pilosa
- Famille :
- Megalonychidae
- Genre :
- Choloepus
- Espèce :
- didactylus
- Taille moyenne
- 53 to 74 cm
- Poids
- 4 to 8 kg
- Gestation
- About 279 days
One baby at a time - Habitat
- Tropical forests
- Régime
- Folivore
The king of slowness
Its metabolism is one of the slowest of all mammals. It can take several weeks to digest a single meal.
Threats and conservation
The sloth is threatened by deforestation, habitat fragmentation, collisions and the illegal trade. To protect it, tropical forests are being preserved and restored, and ecological corridors are being created to connect forest fragments. Wildlife crossings are being installed and high-risk road areas signposted, and local communities are informed to help protect the species.
Fun fact
The sloth is an excellent swimmer! In water it can move up to three times faster than it does in the trees.
