Megalonychidae
hair
Mammalia
From 10 to 11 months
1
Leaves, flowers and fruits, occasionally insects or small vertebrates
25-30 years
The two-toed sloth has abundant, thick, and long fur that runs from the belly to the back, unlike most mammals.
The limbs end in two fingers with curved claws that are used to climb and remain hanging.
Nocturnal in habit, this solitary, arboreal animal sleeps up to fifteen hours during the day.
Females become sexually mature after three years, males between four and five years. The newborn will be cared for for at least nine months and must remain close to the mother for at least two years.
They have many predators, such as jaguars, eagles, and snakes. If they feel threatened, they can defend themselves by slashing at the predator with their large claws or biting with their sharp teeth. However, their primary form of defense is avoiding attack.
The species is affected by habitat loss.
They come ashore very sporadically, an average of once a week to defecate. This infrequent defecation is associated with their particularly low metabolic rate and, therefore, digestive system.
