Hoffman's Two-Toed Sloth Jurica-Suchy Nature Museum Common Name: Hoffman's Two-Toed Sloth Classification: Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Xenarthra Family: Megalonychidae Genus: Choloepus Species: hoffmanni Museum Location: Display Cabinet #637 Description: The two toed sloths are larger than the three toed sloths and have very unique dentition. Their front premolar looks remarkably like a canine tooth. Two toed sloths, as their name suggests, have two "toes" on their front feet and three toes on their back feet. These sloths are brownish in color, with a lighter colored face. Algae often grow in their fur; some researchers even believe that the sloths can absorb nutrition from this alga, which also functions as camouflage, helping them blend into the trees. The two-toed sloth has two types of hair-long waterproof guard hairs that allow water to run off its back during rainstorms, and short underfur. The hair can range from dark brown to pale yellow in color. The animal has long, hook-like claws that allow it to hang from tree branches. Sloths weigh approximately 5.7 kg. and head and body length ranges from 540-700 mm. Habitat and Range: Two-toed sloths are found in tropical forests in Central and South America, from Nicaragua to the Equator. These sloths are limited to tropical regions because their body temperature, a result of their slow metabolism, depends on the temperature of the environment Diet: Two-toed sloths are strictly herbivores, eating mainly leaves, twigs, and fruit. Theirs is a more varied diet compared to the three toed sloth's diet. Behavior: Two toed sloths are more active than three toed sloths. Two toed sloths have been observed moving to a new tree every day, and descending from trees every four days (in captivity) to defecate and urinate, compared to once a week with three toed sloths. Two toed sloths are tree dwelling creatures that are very awkward on the ground. Sloths spend most of their time hanging upside down in trees. Movement is slow, and activity is almost entirely nocturnal. Females may associate in groups, but males are solitary. Communication: If agitated, sloths will defend themselves forcefully with their teeth and claws. Rarely, vocalizations of two-toed sloths can be heard, and an "unau" sound will resonate throughout its tropical habitat. Reproduction: Females reach sexual maturity at 3.5 years and males are sexually mature between the ages of 4 and 5. Gestation for two toed sloths is between 10 to 11 months. They have only one offspring at a time. Two toed sloths do not rely on seasons to tell them when to breed since they have a varied diet that allows them to have abundant food all year long.. Two toed sloths will wait 15 - 16 months before reproducing again. Species Status: Sloths are relatively abundant, but are extremely dependent on trees, so they are easily affected by deforestation. Interesting Facts: A sloth's teeth do not have enamel, and the teeth grow continually. Reportedly, sloths can survive injuries that would normally kill other animals, perhaps because of their low metabolism. Despite two toed sloths low moving ways, they can actually swim rather well. Some researchers claim that sloths have the most variable temperature of all mammals. By Suzy Bartoz & updated by Jamie Abete http://www.centralflorifazoo.org/animals/Hoffmans_two-toed_sloth.htm http://www.aqua.org/animals_twotoedsloth.html