Pygmy Three-toed Sloth: An Endemic Species - Natalea Odell

Pygmy Three-toed Sloth: An Endemic Species 

https://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/pygmy-three-toed-sloth/

Similar to many other sloth species, the Pygmy Three-toed sloth is just as cute and just as slow. It is an endemic species, meaning it is found in only one part of the world. This sloth is found on the Isla Escudo de Veraguas. This piece of land has been separated from the mainland, Panama, for about 9,000 years. This sloth is the smallest of its kind due to “island dwarfism”, growing up to 19-21 inches. They typically weigh 5.5-7.7 pounds. Where they are located, these creatures are specifically adapted to life in the mangroves and they are great swimmers, despite their slowness. Their habitat is small and continues to grow smaller due to habitat destruction. As an endemic species, this can be threatening to their existence. 

There are only four members in the three-toed sloth genus, this sloth being one of them. They have a specific algae that grows on their fur. It is believed that it transfers from mother to baby, as the algae is present from childhood. This algae assists with camouflage, which is one of the sloths main defensive tactics, since it is such a slow-moving animal. They spend most of their time in the trees and only come down to “use the bathroom”, which can be up to every seven days! 

They primarily eat the leaves found in the mangroves where they live. They are pretty solitary animals, adults only coming together to mate. Scientists do not know how long this sloth’s gestation period is, but they only give birth to one at a time. The baby will then stay with the mother for up to a year after.


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