Conservation status
The pygmy three-toed slothis on the IUCN Species Survival Commission's top 100 listof most threatened species. These tiny sloths can only be found on Escudo Island, which is found off the coast of Panama.
Other facts about sloths
Its scientific name, Bradypus, is Greek for "slow feet," which makes sense since it is the world's slowest animal. It is so slow, in fact, that algae grows on its fur, according to National Geographic. The algae works to the sloth's advantage, though. The green of the algae helps the sloth blend into the trees, hiding it from predators.
Compared to most mammals, a sloth moves very slowly. Sloths can climb only 6 to 8 feet (1.8 to 2.4 meters) per minute.
Sloths are excellent swimmers. Like humans, they can do the breaststroke with ease. To get to the rivers for a swim, sloths will drop themselves off of branches into the water.
Since sloths bodies are only 25 percent muscle, they can't shiver when they are cold to warm up. It is a good thing they live in a tropical climate and are covered in fur. There are times of cold in the forest, though. If a female gets too cold, she is unable to digest food. If her young is still nursing, she may starve to death.
A sloth only has its claws for defense against predators. However, its very low level of movement and the camouflage make it difficult to notice.