Linné’s two-fingered sloth
Choloepus didactylus
Lifespan: 25-30 years in a zoo setting with proper veterinarian care. Lifespan is unknown in the wild.
Reproduction: Pregnancy is approximately 10 months
Size: Average adult between 4 and 11 kg
Diet: Buds, leaves, flowers, fruit, twig tips, and young stems
Common Names
English – Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth, Linné’s Two-fingered Sloth, Linné’s Two-toed Sloth, Southern Two-toed Sloth
German – Linnaeus-Zweifinger-Faultier, Zweifingerfaultier
Portuguese – Preguiça-Real, Unau
Sranan Tongo – Skapuloiri
Dutch; Flemish – Tweevingerige Luiaard
Spanish- Perico Ligero, Perezoso de Dos Dedos
How to Identify:
Similar species possibly found in the same area: Choloepus didactylus Choloepus hoffmanni Choloepus didactylus throat is darker in color Choloepus didactylus usually has more neck bones (cervical vertebrae) than Choloepus hoffmanni Bradypus variegatus and Bradypus tridactylus Choloepus didactylus has two fingers – not three! B. variegatus and B. tridactylus has a mask around their eyes and two-fingered sloths do not.
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.
Linné's two-fingered sloth Facts
• The genus name, Choloepus is from the Greek for injured-footed for how slow they move.
• The species name didactylus, in Greek means two-fingered or two-toed.
Habitat
• Cloud forests
• Tropical forests
Population Trend
Population Trend• Decreasing
Threats
Threats• Accidents on roads
• Habitat loss and deforestation
• Hunting
• Illegal pet trade
• Selfie tourism
• Wildfires
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.
Test your new knowledge!
Test your new sloth skills by visiting our sloth word search, puzzles, coloring sheets and name games!
Check out this video to see how much you have learned!
The Anteater, Sloth, Armadillo Specialist Group has a store that directly helps xenarthran conservation!
