Sloths are native to Brazil, inhabiting the country’s vast and diverse tropical forests. As a biodiversity hotspot, Brazil is home to a significant portion of the world’s sloth species, divided into two main groups: two-toed and three-toed sloths. Understanding where these unique mammals live and the specific types that exist is important for grasping the challenges they face in a rapidly changing environment.
The Sloth Species Found in Brazil
Brazil hosts several species of sloths, belonging to two main families distinguished by the number of prominent claws on their forelimbs. Three-toed sloths, all belonging to the genus Bradypus, include the Brown-throated Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and the Pale-throated Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus). The Brown-throated Sloth is the most widespread species in South America, known for its small, compact body and diurnal activity pattern.
The Maned Sloth (Bradypus torquatus) is a unique Brazilian resident, easily identifiable by the distinctive long, dark fur that forms a “mane” around its neck and shoulders. Unlike other three-toed sloths, males of this species do not display a speculum, a bright patch of colored fur on the back. Three-toed sloths typically have three claws on all four limbs, a short tail, and are known for their extremely slow metabolism.
The two-toed sloths, part of the genus Choloepus, are generally larger than their three-toed relatives and have only two claws on their forelimbs. The Linnaeus’s Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus) and Hoffmann’s Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) are found within Brazil’s borders. These two-toed sloths tend to be more nocturnal than their three-toed counterparts and have a more varied diet that includes fruits and small invertebrates in addition to leaves.
Geographical Distribution Across Brazilian Biomes
The distribution of sloths across Brazil depends on the presence of dense, continuous forest canopy, necessary for their arboreal lifestyle. The Amazon Rainforest is home to the widest variety of sloths, including the Pale-throated Sloth and both species of two-toed sloths. These species are found throughout the northern states, such as Amazonas, Pará, and Amapá, where the humid climate supports their leafy diet.
Movement between trees is challenging for these animals, so they thrive in areas with high forest connectivity. The Brown-throated Sloth has a vast range that extends from the Amazon basin into other moist forest areas. Their presence indicates a healthy, connected forest ecosystem.
The Maned Sloth has a much more restricted geographic range, making it endemic to a single biome. This species is found exclusively within the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest along the southeastern Brazilian coast. Its distribution is limited to the states of Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, and Sergipe, where it inhabits humid, dense coastal rainforest patches.
Conservation Concerns for Brazilian Sloths
The primary threat facing all Brazilian sloth populations is the destruction and fragmentation of their forest habitats. Deforestation, particularly in the Amazon and the Atlantic Forest, removes the canopy highways that sloths depend on for safety, movement, and food. When the canopy is broken, sloths are forced to descend to the ground, increasing their vulnerability to predators, domestic dogs, and vehicles.
The Maned Sloth is imperiled due to its restricted range within the Atlantic Forest, which has been reduced to less than 15% of its original size. This species is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, reflecting severe population decline and habitat loss. The isolation of sloth populations in small forest fragments also reduces genetic diversity, making them less resilient to disease and environmental changes.
Habitat fragmentation introduces other direct threats, such as electrocution when sloths mistake power lines for tree branches to cross gaps in the canopy. The illegal wildlife trade and the demand for “sloth selfies” by tourists pose a growing threat, especially in accessible areas like Manaus. Trafficking often involves removing sloth babies from their mothers, causing high mortality rates and disrupting wild populations. Conservation efforts focus on establishing protected areas, promoting eco-bridges to connect isolated habitats, and combating the illegal trade.