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.
Key takeaway
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 overview
Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is a mammal listed here as Least Concern. Typical weight 3.5–6 kg (8–13 lb); lifespan around Around 20 years in the wild.
Sloth ecology
Diet: Herbivore (folivore). Habitat: Tropical rainforest canopy. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
Sloths and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild sloths are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Least Concern. See the full Sloth profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
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.
Sources
Sloth FAQs
What are key facts about sloths?
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.
What is the scientific name of the sloth?
Bradypus variegatus — used in research and conservation listings for sloths.
What do sloths eat?
Sloths eat folivore, with seasonal and regional variation in Tropical rainforest canopy.
Where do sloths live?
They are associated with Tropical rainforest canopy. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of sloths?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.