Six Different Types of Sloths

The suborder Folivora, or sloths, consists of two families: Bradypodidae and Megalonychidae. Spread between these two families are two genera and six species of sloth. All sloths are native either to Central or South America and come in two or three-toed varieties. Sloths tend to be slow moving animals and are well-known for this trait.

  1. Brown-Throated Three-Toed Sloth

    • The brown-throated sloth is a medium-sized animal that grows to around 23 inches, head to tail, and weighs up to 9 lbs. on average. It is brown in color all over with darker shading on the face and across the shoulder, upper chest and neck. Its limbs are long and slender, and each ends with three long curved claws. The species is found from Central America south to Argentina in evergreen and semi-deciduous forests.

    Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth

    • The pygmy three-toed sloth grows to around 20 inches in length and just over 6 lbs. in weight. The fur is gray-brown except around the face, which is a light biff color with dark rings around the eyes. This species is native to just one island off the coast of Panama, Isla Escudo de Veraguas, which is just over 3 square miles in area.

    Maned Three-Toed Sloth

    • The maned three-toed sloth grows to just over 19 inches and over 9 lbs. The fur of this species is often tinged with green from algae that grows on it. The fur is longer and shaggier than some other species, especially around the neck, giving a maned appearance. It lives in small areas of coastal rain forest within Brazil.

    Pale-Throated Three-Toed Sloth

    • The pale-throated sloth is a larger species that grows to 2 1/2 feet in length and weighs up to 12 lbs. It has a brownish-gray coat, which is often tinged with green algae. Its tail and ears are so small as to be hardly visible, and its nose is blunt. This species is found from southern Central America to northeastern Argentina.

    Southern Two-Toed Sloth

    • The southern two-toed sloth grows to 29 inches in length and to an average of 17 lbs. The fur is brownish-gray and the hairs possess algae-attracting grooves that give the animal a greener appearance, helping it blend in with the forest. It lives from Central America south to parts of Brazil and Peru.

    Hoffman's Two-Toed Sloth

    • Hoffman's two-toed sloth grows to around 28 inches in length and around 17 lbs. The species has brownish-gray fur with a pale whitish face. Its hairless snout protrudes slightly from its flattened face and its ears are large, thick and rounded. This species is found from extreme southern Central America south into Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru.