Spanish- Perezoso Pigmeo, Perezoso Pigmeo de Tres Dedos

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.

• The island pygmy sloths live on is 0.67 square miles 
• The island separated from mainland Panama about 8,900 years ago.
• No fossils are known of the pygmy sloth.
• The generic name, Bradypus, is from the Greek for slow-footed.
• The species name pygmaeus, means dwarf or pygmy.
• The fur is greenish due to the presence of algae, which allows pygmy sloths to hide among the vegetation.

Threats

• Small habitat
• Hunting
• Tourism

– 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 pygmaeus can be found in the below country.

Click to learn what other xenarthran species live there too!

Panama

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!