Two-toed Sloths (Choloepus spp.) Fact Sheet: Population & Conservation Status

• No global population estimates (Plese and Chiarello 2014, Chiarello and Plese 2014)

IUCN

• Choloepus didactylus
  • Least Concern (2022 assessment) (Chiarello et al. 2022)
• Choloepus hoffmanni
  • Least Concern (2022 assessment) (Plese et al. 2022)

CITES

• Choloepus didactylus
  • Not listed (UNEP 2020a)
• Choloepus hoffmanni
  • Not listed (UNEP 2020b)

Endangered Species Act

• Not listed (two species of three-toed sloths are listed)

•  Habitat loss due to ranching, agriculture, urban expansion and logging
  • Total dependency on forests
  • Habitat fragmentation makes breeding difficult.
• Hunting/illegal trade in wildlife
  • Traffickers buy young sloths from children ($5-$30) who take them from deforested areas. Mothers are frequently killed and sold for bush meat
• Hit by motor vehicles, as they slowly crawl across streets

Two-toed sloths are dependent on forests.

Habitat fragmentation makes breeding difficult.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Meritt (2006)
Aguilar and Fonseca (2008)