Southern Maned Three-Fingered Sloth
Bradypus crinitus
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Reproduction: The females give birth to a single young per year. Most births occur at the end of the wet season and beginning of the dry season (February-April).
Size: Average adult 4.5–10.1 kg
Diet: Strict folivore – only eating leaves
Common Names
English – Southern Maned Sloth; Southern Maned Three-Toed Sloth; Southern Maned Three-Fingered Sloth
German – Südliches Kragenfaultier
Portuguese – Bicho-Preguiça, Preguiça-de-Coleira do Sudeste
Spanish – Perezoso de Collar del Sureste
How to Identify:
Similar species possibly found in the same area: Bradypus crinitus Bradypus variegatus Bradypus crinitus has a black fur mane Male Bradypus crinitus do not have a colorful dorsal speculum like Bradypus variegatus Bradypus torquatus There are no clear physical differences between B. crinitus and B. torquatus, but B. crinitus is often times more gray than B. torquatus
IUCN Red List
Species are classified into one of nine Red List Categories: Extinct, Extinct in the Wild, Critically Endangered, Endangered, Vulnerable, Near Threatened, Least Concern, Data Deficient and Not Evaluated. Vulnerable, Endangered and Critically Endangered species are considered to be threatened with extinction.
Southern maned three-fingered sloth Facts
- The generic name, Bradypus, is from the Greek for slow-footed.
- The species name, crinitus, is based on the original description made by scientist Gray in 1850! He described two species of maned sloths, one of which he named crinitus. In Latin, crinitus means hairy or long-haired; the Latin word gave rise to “crina” in Portuguese and “crin” in Spanish, which means mane.
- Both males and females have a black mane. Males’ manes are usually larger and darker.
- The fur often looks greenish because it is colonized by algae.
- Moves, on average, 17 m during the day and 5 m at night.
Habitat
- Atlantic coastal forests
Population Trend
Population Trend• Decreasing
Threats
Threats• Accidents on roads
• Electrocution
• Habitat loss and deforestation
• Hunting, used in traditional medicine
• Maned sloth populations separated by deforestation and building of cities and roads
• Small habitat range
Here are some ways YOU can help keep sloths healthy and safe:
– It is best to observe them from a distance and in silence.
– Our pets could attack them. It is important to keep your dog on a leash when you go for a walk, or keep your pets at home in an enclosed and safe area. In addition, taking care of our pets also means spaying and neutering them so that they do not breed without control.
– Sloths love to live in the woods, keeping them as pets is not good for them. Keep in mind that they don’t like selfies either.
– If you find an injured sloth, contact a wildlife hospital so they can help it.
– Deforestation is often caused to make more land for livestock. Eating less meat may help save our forests.
Bradypus crinitus can be found in the below country.
Click to learn what other xenarthran species live there too!
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