Sloth
Bradypus variegatus
Quick answer
Sloths are slow-moving tree-dwelling mammals native to the rainforests of Central and South America. They move at around 0.3 km/h (0.2 mph) and sleep up to 15 to 20 hours a day to conserve energy on a low-calorie leaf diet. Wild sloths typically live around 20 years.
Sloth facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Bradypus variegatus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore (folivore) |
| Habitat | Tropical rainforest canopy |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years in the wild |
| Weight | 3.5–6 kg (8–13 lb) |
| Top speed | About 0.3 km/h (0.2 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Pilosa |
| Family | Bradypodidae |
| Genus | Bradypus |
Where it lives
The lowland and montane rainforest canopies of Central and South America.
Built for a slow life
Sloths live life in slow motion to survive on a diet of leaves, which provide very little energy. They have an extremely slow metabolism and can take up to a month to digest a single meal. Their slow movements also make them nearly invisible to predators such as eagles and big cats, which hunt by detecting motion.
Life in the canopy
Sloths spend almost their entire lives hanging upside down in the rainforest canopy, gripping branches with long, curved claws. Their fur grows in the opposite direction to most mammals so rain runs off, and it often hosts algae that gives them a greenish tint and helps them blend into the leaves.
A surprising weekly routine
Despite living in trees, sloths climb all the way to the ground about once a week to defecate, one of the few times they are exposed to ground predators. They are also surprisingly capable swimmers, moving through water far faster than they ever move on land.
Conservation
Most sloth species are listed as Least Concern, but they depend heavily on continuous forest. Deforestation, road building, and power lines are growing threats, and rescue centers across Central and South America help rehabilitate injured and orphaned sloths.
Frequently asked questions about the Sloth
Why are sloths so slow?
Sloths are slow because they live on a low-energy diet of leaves and have a very slow metabolism. Moving slowly conserves energy and also helps them avoid predators that hunt by spotting movement.
What do sloths eat?
Sloths are mainly herbivores that eat leaves, buds, and tender shoots. Their diet provides little energy, which is why they digest food slowly and rest for most of the day.
How long do sloths sleep?
Wild sloths sleep roughly 15 hours a day, and some estimates run higher. They spend most of their waking hours resting or feeding slowly in the canopy.
Can sloths swim?
Yes. Sloths are surprisingly good swimmers and can move through water several times faster than they move on land, using their long arms to paddle.
How long do sloths live?
Wild sloths typically live around 20 years. In captivity, with reliable food and care, some sloths have lived into their 30s and beyond.
