Two-toed Sloth (Linne’s)
Choloepus didactylus
Class: Mammalia
Order: Xenarthra
Family: Megalonychidae
Description
Hair is long and brownish-gray, and curves from the stomach to the back, opposite of
most mammals. The limbs are long and the forelimbs are slightly longer than the hind
limbs. The forefeet have 2 digits, which are not toes but long, curved claws, and the
hind feet have 3 digits. The claws are used for suspension from tree branches.
Average weight is roughly 11-14 lbs. and length ranges from 21 - 28 in. head to tail.
Range
Central and South America
Ecology
Diet: in the wild - a variety of twigs, leaves, & fruits; they may also derive nutrition by
absorption or ingestion of algae growing in the hair; on occasion they will eat insects or
other small prey; in the Zoo - a variety of fruits & vegetables, leaf-eater biscuits, hardboiled egg
Habitat: tree-dwellers in tropical forests, both rainforest & deciduous forest
Lifespan/Social Structure
Females tend to associate in groups, but males are usually solitary. The female portion
of the population outnumbers the male by as much as 11:1. Females reach sexual
maturity at 3 years and males at 4 - 5 years. Single births are the norm and gestation is
estimated to be about 6 months. Babies cling to the hair on their mother’s belly. Young
first hang upside down at 20 - 25 days after birth and begin to feed away from the
mother at 5 months. Young will continue to associate with their mother until at least 2
years old. The amount of time between births is usually 14 - 16 months. Lifespan is
about 20 years in the wild and up to 32 years in captivity.
Special Information
 Sloths are mainly arboreal and hang upside down in trees; all normal activity (eating,
sleeping, mating, and giving birth) occurs while hanging upside down.
 They only leave the trees to urinate & defecate.
 Each strand of sloth hair has grooves which collect algae, giving the sloth a greenish
tint, camouflaging it in the trees.
 Sloths cannot walk; they are outstanding climbers and very good swimmers.
 Activity is mostly nocturnal; even crepuscular activity is uncommon.
Miller Park Zoo Specimens
Name
Sex
Birthdate
Chloe
F
9/8/92
Obtained From:
Henson Robinson Zoo
Date Obtained
9/18/01