Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth

« It only moves about 38 metres per day! »

A name that speaks volumes

If you have time, there is no need to rush.

Sometimes a species’ name may seem strange and reveal nothing about the animal, but this is certainly not the case with the sloth! This animal’s legendary slow pace of life is a result of its extremely slow metabolism. It will sleep for up to 15 hours a day and takes a week to fully digest a meal. The rest of the time, the sloth moves very slowly to conserve its energy. Hanging upside down from tree branches, it only moves about 38 metres per day! It will also come down to the ground, where it is much less comfortable, to change trees or to find food.

Did you know?

“Clins d’Œil de Beauval”: a sloth in top gear

Better than a yoga session!

This special effects-free video allows you to behold the breath-taking speed of our sloth. Do not attempt these extraordinary acrobatics at home… unless you want to fall asleep.

The Beauval Nature association

For the past 10 years, the Beauval Nature association has joined forces with field workers to support them in their primary mission of species conservation. Beauval works closely with numerous conservation and research programmes around the world to study and protect endangered species. This everyday action takes place in order to protect our biodiversity.

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Least concern

Parrainez les paresseux à deux doigts

Parrainez les paresseux à deux doigts

Animals that can be sponsored

Learn more about the species

Range

America

Diet

Omnivore
Gestation period

10 months
Litter size

1 young
Habitat

Tropical forests

A champion of camouflage

In its natural environment, the two-toed sloth has almost no predators. Not because it is inedible, but because it is very difficult to find. The sloth is a camouflage expert and will wrap itself around the branches of trees, thus looking like a knot in the wood, or a nest of termites. Even more importantly, this species lives in symbiosis with algae! In the humidity of the jungle these algae turn green, and so the sloth takes on a colour similar to that of the leaves surrounding it.

It’s always the quiet ones!

Though not aggressive, the sloth knows how to defend itself. And to fend off any would-be attackers, it is equipped with some pretty sharp weapons! Firstly, its hardened teeth and lips, which are tapered to cut leaves and branches, can prove to be quite dangerous… and its claws are no exception! Although it only has two claws on its forelimbs, they are as sharp as razors and the sloth will not hesitate to put all its strength into using them.

What noise does a sloth make?

The calls and songs of numerous animals resound throughout the bird tropical greenhouse, recreating the hustle and bustle of the jungle. But do you know how to recognise the call of the two-toed sloth? No? Hardly surprising! It is an animal that is largely silent. The sloth will make whistling noises or gentle groans only when distressed or in danger.