The Three-Toed Sloth's Habitat

The three-toed sloth is a slow-moving mammal that lives high in the trees of the rainforests. The three-toed sloth is roughly the size of a small dog and has long claws that help it hang on tree limbs.

Rainforests

The three-toed sloth lives in the rainforests of most countries in Central America and several countries in South America.

Hanging in the Forest

The three-toed sloth lives almost its entire life hanging upside down in the canopy of the rainforest, according to BBC.co.uk. It has a powerful grip that allow it to hang from branches.

Life in the Treetops

The sloth also sleeps, mates and gives birth while hanging in the trees. Dead sloths have been known to stay suspended from a branch, according to National Geographic.

On the Ground

The three-toed sloth is clumsier on land, and only descends to the rainforest floor about once a week in order to urinate and defecate. On the ground, sloths crawl or lie on their backs.

Camouflage

Green algae often grows in the hair of the sloth, which functions as camouflage. In addition, the sloth sleeps curled up in ball, making it look like a stump or a bough.

References

• National Geographic
• Animal Info

Resources

• CostaRica.com