Linnaeus's Two-toed Sloth

Choloepus didactylus

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Pilosa · Megalonychidae

About

Linnaeus's two-toed sloth, also known as the southern two-toed sloth, unau, or Linne's two-toed sloth is a species of sloth from South America, found in Venezuela, Suriname, Guyana, French Guiana, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Brazil north of the Amazon River. There is now evidence suggesting the species' range expands into Bolivia. It's the largest extant sloth species.

Fun Fact

Linnaeus's two-toed sloths can rotate their heads nearly 270 degrees thanks to extra cervical vertebrae — they have 5 to 7 neck bones while most mammals (including giraffes) have exactly 7.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Tropical rainforests

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

20-30 years

Threats

Deforestation
Wildfire

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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