Head to head
Pygmy Three-toed Sloth vs Sloth
Pygmy Three-toed Sloth
VS Sloth
The pygmy three-toed sloth and the brown-throated sloth, described on our Sloth page, are both three-toed sloths in the genus Bradypus, but one is a dwarf on a single island and the other is widespread.
| Pygmy Three-toed Sloth | Sloth | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Bradypus pygmaeus | Bradypus variegatus |
| Relationship | A close relative of the brown-throated sloth, in the same genus | A close relative of the pygmy three-toed sloth, in the same genus |
| Size | Smaller than the mainland three-toed sloths | Weighs 3.5 to 6.5 kg |
| Range | Only Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small island off the Caribbean coast of Panama | Rainforests and cloud forests of Central and South America, from Honduras to northern Argentina |
| Habitat | Red mangrove trees at the edge of the sea | The canopy of rainforest and cloud forest |
| Diet | Mainly the leaves of red mangrove trees | The leaves, buds, and shoots of a few canopy trees |
| Movement | Swims well, using its long arms in a form of breaststroke | Is the slowest mammal, covering about 4 metres per minute on the ground |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered, with a few hundred animals at most | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Pygmy Three-toed Sloth vs Sloth: common questions
Which sloth swims?
The pygmy three-toed sloth, which swims well, using its long arms in a form of breaststroke.
Where does the pygmy three-toed sloth live?
Only on Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small island off the Caribbean coast of Panama.
Which sloth is more at risk?
The pygmy three-toed sloth, which is Critically Endangered, while the brown-throated sloth is Least Concern.