Linne's two-toed sloth

Choloepus didactylus

Irish Name: Sliotan dha cheann
IUCN Status: Least concern

Sloths are the slowest mammals in the world, metabolically. Two-toed sloths, like the ones that live in Dublin Zoo, have grey-brown/beige fur and paler faces. They have a small head but a large body with powerful limbs and a tail hidden beneath its fur. They have long, hooked claws which it uses to climb, hang and defend itself.

Linne's two-toed sloth

Choloepus didactylus

Irish Name: Sliotan dha cheann
IUCN Status: Least concern

Sloths are the slowest mammals in the world, metabolically. Two-toed sloths, like the ones that live in Dublin Zoo, have grey-brown/beige fur and paler faces. They have a small head but a large body with powerful limbs and a tail hidden beneath its fur. They have long, hooked claws which it uses to climb, hang and defend itself.

General Information

Where do they live? (Natural habitat)

Two-toed sloths are found in the northern part of South America (Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela). They live in tropical and subtropical forests. They are entirely arboreal meaning they live all their lives in trees.

How long do they live?

Live up to 20 years in the wild. The average lifespan of captive Linne's two-toed sloth is 28 years. Oldest known sloth was Mrs C , a Hoffman's two-toed sloth. She lived to the age of 43

What do they eat?

They have a mainly herbivorous diet, which includes leaves, fruit, berries, small twigs and sometimes small insects

Group name

Sloths are relatively solitary so do not have a group name.

Zoo Location

South American House

Closest related species / sister species

Their closest relative is the Hoffman's two-toed sloth, followed by the family of three-toed sloths, followed by the suborder Vermilingua which is composed of the anteaters.

Animal class

Mammalia

Animal order

Pilosa

Fun Facts

Why so slow?

Sloths have a four-part stomach that very slowly digests the tough leaves they eat, it can sometimes take up to a month for them to digest a meal. This means a sloth has very little energy left to move around making it one of the slowest moving animals in the world.

Slow Movers

They are so slow algae grows on them, helping to camouflage them from predators.

Fingers and Toes

All sloths actually have 3 toes. The two-toed sloth has two fingers, as well as three toes.

Sleepy Heads

Two-toed sloths sleep for 15-20 hours a day, even when awake they can remain motionless.

Giant Ancestors

Skeletons of now extinct species of sloth suggest some varieties used to be as large as elephants.

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Family Life

Two-toed sloths live a life of solitude. The female and male sloth will come together to breed and the male will then leave. The female will raise her young (usually 1) on her own for up to 2 years.

Baby name

Pup

Gestation (pregnancy) period

Around 9 months.

Number of young at birth

Usually one baby.

Weight at birth

About 340 grams.

Age at maturity

2 years

Adult male name

Boar

Adult female name

Sow

Size male adult

46-86cm, weight:4-8.5kg

Size female adult

46-86cm, weight:4-8.5kg

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Conservation

Least Concern

The two-toed sloth is listed as of Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation in Nature.

Current population estimate

Unknown

Threats

Other than natural predation, sloths face no other major threats.

What is Dublin Zoo doing?

Dublin Zoo promotes the education and awareness of the species to our visitors, through our 'Discovery and Learning Team.

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FAQs

  • What do sloths eat?

    Sloths eat fruit, leaves, berries, twigs and sometimes insects.

  • Where do sloths live?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths live in South America, in the trees of tropical rainforests.

  • Why are sloths slow?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths move slowly because they have an extremely slow metabolism. They have four stomachs that digest food very slowly and can sometimes take up to a month to digest one meal.

    Also, being slow-moving also helps camouflage them in the treetops where they live.

  • Are sloths endangered?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths are not endangered, they are listed as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation in Nature. However, their habitats are under constant destruction from the human activity so it is likely their populations are declining.

  • How long do sloths live?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths can live anywhere from 20 to 40 years and longer in zoos.

  • Are sloths dangerous?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths are not aggressive animals but they do have 4 inch claws to use against predators.

  • How long do sloths sleep?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths can sleep anywhere from 15-20 hours a day.

  • Do sloths have tails?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths have a small tail that is between 1.5 and 3.5 cm.

  • How often do sloths poop?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths poop once a week, it is the only thing they go to the ground to do. They do everything else in trees.

  • Can sloths swim?

    Sloths can swim but are just as slow in the water.

  • How fast do sloths move?

    Sloths move at a rate of about 3m per minute in trees but only about 2m per minute on the ground.

  • What sound does a sloth make?

    Sloths can make hissing noises and loud calls.

  • Are sloths marsupials?

    Sloths are not marsupials.

  • What is a group of sloths called?

    They do not live in groups, they are solitary animals.

  • Are sloths primates?

    Sloths are not primates, they are part of the order pilosa.

  • How big are sloths?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths can weigh from 4-8.5kg, the size of a small dog.

  • How do sloths mate?

    Females attract a male with loud screams and they mate in trees.

  • Is a sloth a mammal?

    Sloths are mammals.

  • What is a baby sloth called?

    Baby sloths are called pups.

  • why are sloths endangered?

    Linne’s two-toed sloths are not endangered. They are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

  • Are sloths friendly?

    Sloths are not aggressive animals but will protect themselves if they feel threatened.

  • Are sloths nocturnal?

    Sloths are nocturnal, being mostly active at night.

  • How do sloths protect themselves?

    Sloth protect themselves with their 4 inch claws and will hiss and bite at a predators.

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