Home › Mammalia › Bradypodidae › Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
Bradypus
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Central and northern South America
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Tropical rainforest canopy
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Pilosa
FAMILY
Bradypodidae
GENUS
Bradypus
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 60 cm; 4-6 kg
COLORATION
Greyish-brown fur often tinged green with algae
ADAPTATIONS
Moves slowly to avoid detection; algae in fur provides camouflage
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Tropical rainforest canopy
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Central and northern South America
REPRODUCTION
Single young clings to the mother
DIET DETAILS
Leaves, buds and shoots
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Deforestation, power lines, roads
💡 Interesting Facts
1
So slow that algae grows in its fur, giving it a greenish camouflage.
2
It descends from the canopy only about once a week to defecate.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Amacayacu National Park
Tayrona National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
Year-round
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Scan the canopy slowly along Amazon riverbanks with a guide; look for a still, round shape in the fork of a tree.
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