Three-toed Sloths spend most of their lives hanging upside down from trees. They are very inactive creatures, but they do climb down to the ground once or twice a week to excrete or move to other trees.

Three-toed Sloths feed by pulling on flimsy branches with their forelegs, to bring them close to their mouths. They spend long periods waiting for their tough food to digest. Because they are so inactive, Sloths have a lower body temperature than other mammals - sometimes as low as 24°C (75°F). Their fur is sometimes tingled with green because algae are growing in it. The Sloths may absorb some of the algal nutrients through their skin, and the green colour helps to camouflage them among branches and leaves.

Sloths have very simple societies. They live alone and females only produce offspring every two years. Mating can occur throughout the year though, with both partners still hanging upside down. Mothers give birth in this position too, and the young cling to the hair on the mothers breasts.

Habitat: Coastal forest

Food: Young leaves, twigs and buds

Life Span: 20 Years

Status: Endangered

Breeding: Single born young throughout the year