Pale-throated three-ﬁngered sloth

Bradypus tridactylus

Lifespan: Estimated to be 12-15 years
Reproduction: 1 offspring every year
Size: Average adult 3.4–6.5 kg
Diet: Eats over 50 plant species

Common Names

Dutch; Flemish – Drievingerige Luiaard

English – Pale-throated Sloth, Pale-throated Three-ﬁngered Sloth, Pale-throated Three-toed Sloth

German – Ai, Dreiﬁngerfaultier, Weißkehl-Faultier

Portuguese – Ai, Preguiça, Preguiça-de-Bentinho, Preguiça-do-Norte

Sranan Tongo – Sonloiri

How to Identify:

Similar species possibly found in the same area:	*Bradypus tridactylus*
Choloepus didactylus and Choloepus hoffmanni	Bradypus tridactylus has three fingers – not two! B. tridactylus has a mask on the eyes compared to the two-fingered sloths.
Bradypus variegatus	Bradypus variegatus has a brown throat and Bradypus tridactylus has a yellow throat, however they are difficult to tell apart in the wild.

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.

Pale-throated three-ﬁngered sloth Facts

Males have a middorsal speculum (Short black and orange fur covered with oil that helps attracts mates)
Does not do well in zoo settings, so we must protect them in their wild habitat.
The genus name, Bradypus, is from the Greek for slow-footed.
The species name, tridactylus, means three digits or claws.
Bradypus tridactylus is curious and will explore small and unimportant items in its surroundings.

Habitat

Rainforests

Population Trend

• Decreasing

Threats

• Deforestation
• Droughts
• Farming
• Habitat loss
• Storms & flooding

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.