Maned Three-toed Sloth Bradypus torquatus

Maned three-toed Sloth Illustration © Bruce Pearson

The Maned Three-toed Sloth, also known as the Maned Sloth is the rarest of the sloth species and is endemic to Brazil. Its name derives from the black mane of hairs running down the back of its neck; their coat is cream and tan and is frequently tinged with blue-green algae that lives in the grooves in the hair keeping them well camouflaged in trees. Sloths are characterized by their long limbs, short bodies and stumpy tails. The Maned Three-toed sloth has three fingers that end in long curved claws which they use to hook over branches enabling them to move with ease among branches.

In the past the Maned Sloth has been excessively hunted by humans for their meat and by Jaguar and other predators. Despite legal protection they are increasingly threatened by loss of habitat due to logging, industrialisation and clearance for plantations and pasture.

The Maned Three-toed Sloth is classified as Endangered by IUCN (See IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for more information on the classification of the Maned Sloth).

Help Protect Sloths and Other Wildlife in Brazil

The Maned Three-toed Sloth can be found in the Atlantic coastal forests of eastern Brazil, where the The World Land Trust's supports the REGUA reserve. It is not known whether the species occur within this reserve, but REGUA is known to protect another sloth species, the Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth, from habitat loss. Please help protect more forests supporting the Atlantic Rainforest Project.

More Information about Maned Sloths and Their Habitat

• Read more about WLT's work in Brazil
• Find more information on Maned Sloths on ARKive: Images of life on Earth