Pygmy Sloth

Shannon Costin
Jul 25, 2017 · 3 min read

Pygmy three-toed sloths have grey, tan and brown fur, with males displaying an orange patch. They have long hair that looks similar to a hood. These sloths are 40% smaller than most other sloths. They grow to be between 48–54 centimeters and weigh around 2.5 to 3.5 kilograms. Their small size can be attributed to insular dwarfism. A phenomenon where animals adapt to the size of their space and food. Pygmy sloths are located in the Isla Escudo de Veraguas. A small island that was separated from Panama 9,000 years ago.

These sloths can be found in the water swimming. This is a unique attribute to the pygmy sloth. They swim better than they crawl. Another unique feature is the greenish tint to their fur. Algae grows in the fur of the pygmy three-toed sloth, that acts as camouflage. This alongside their slow movements creates a defense mechanism for the small sloth. They also have the ability to turn their necks 270 degrees horitzontally. Pygmy three-toed sloth eats the leaves of the red mangrove trees in which it lives.

Population numbers thought to be fewer than 500. They are classified as Critically Endangered IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their most predominate threat is habitat destruction. Reports indicate that mangrove trees being cut down on Isla Escudo de Veraguas which not only destroys the trees in which this species live but also reduces the size of an already small area of habitat.

Sloths are known to host an entire ecosystem of invertebrate species that are unique to sloth fur. It has been reported that, alongside the symbiotic fungi and algae that act as an effective form of camouflage, up to 950 moths, beetles, cockroaches and even worms can be found on an individual sloth.

Isla Escudo de Veraguas has been designated as a protected area and is located within the Ngobe-Bugle comarca which means the local indigenous people have strong administrative power.

A group of scientists from ZSL went out to Escudo to conduct an extensive population survey of the pygmy sloths in March 2012. In total they encountered 72 sloths. They witnessed widespread mangrove cutting, estimating that there may be fewer than 100 individuals within mangrove habitats. A campaign is being run to raise funds to develop a participatory conservation strategy for the pygmy sloth.

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