linne’s two-toed sloth Fast Facts
Overview
The Linne's Two-toed Sloth is also known as the southern two-toed sloth. Sloth species are divided into two families, depending on the number of toes that have on their front limbs. There are two species of two-toed sloth, Linne's and Hoffman's. The two-toed sloth species are much larger that the three-toed sloths, with longer hair and bigger eyes, and a much shorter tail. This species of two-toed sloth is a solitary, nocturnal species that lives high up in the rainforest canopy, spending most of its day resting or asleep.
Diet
Their diet consists of foraging for leaves, flowers and fruits.
Reproduction
Females are mature at about 3 years and males at about 5 years. Gestation is approximately 10 months, after which the female will give birth to a single infant hanging upside down in the trees. The infant will then climb up to the mothers chest to nurse. The infant will cling to the mother whilst she moves around the rainforest.
Threats + Conservation
All species of sloth are threatened by habitat loss and deforestation caused by large scale agriculture, logging, mining and urban development. Linne's Two-toed sloth are considered "Least Concern" by the IUCN Redlist, however the wild population is decreasing.
Fun facts
They have one of the slowest metabolism's in the animal kingdom, taking up to a week to digest their food and go to the toilet. To go to the toilet a Sloth has to come down to the ground.