Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth
Encyclopedia
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) is a species
of sloth
from Central
and South America
. It is a solitary nocturnal and arboreal animal, found in mature and secondary rainforests and deciduous forests. The common name commemorates the German naturalist Karl Hoffmann
.
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth is, however, much easier to confuse with the related Linne's two-toed sloth, which it closely resembles. The primary physical differences between the two species related to subtle skeletal features; for example, Hoffmann's two-toed sloth has three foramina
in the upper forward part of the interpterygoid
space, rather than just two, and often - but not always - has fewer cervical vertebrae.
Adults range from 54 to 72 cm (21.3 to 28.3 ) in head-body length, and weigh anything from 2.1 to 9 kg (4.6 to 19.8 ). Although they do have a stubby tail, just 1.5 to 3 cm (0.590551181102362 to 1.2 ) long, this is too short to be visible through the long fur. The claws range are 5 to 6.5 cm (2 to 2.6 ) long. Females are larger on average than males, although there is considerable overlap in size. Their fur is tan to light brown in colour, being lighter on the face, but usually has a greenish tinge because of the presence of algae
living in the hairs.
in the north to western Ecuador
in the south, and the other in eastern Peru
, western Brazil
, and northern Bolivia
. It inhabits tropical forests from sea level to 3300 metres (10,826.8 ft).
for about eight hours each night, and spending the day sleeping in tangles of liana
s. They move only very slowly, typically at around 0.14 m/s, although they can move up to 50% faster when excited. They are solitary in the wild, and, aside from mothers with young, it is unusual for two to be found in a tree at the same time.
The name "sloth" means "lazy," but the slow movements of this animal are actually an adaptation for surviving on a low-energy diet of leaves. These sloths have half the metabolic rate of a typical mammal of the same size. Sloths have very poor eyesight and hearing, and rely almost entirely on their senses of touch and smell to find food.
This species often exhibits exaggerated wobbling of the head. Another trait of this sloth is that it often spits when the mouth opens. The saliva often accumulates on the lower lip, giving the creature a comical appearance.
Two-toed sloths hang from tree branches, suspended by their huge, hook-like claws. The clinging behaviour is a reflex
action, and sloths are found still hanging from trees after they die. The sloth spends almost its entire life, including eating, sleeping, mating, and giving birth, hanging upside down tree branches. The only time that sloths are normally found right side up is when they descend to the ground to defecate, which they only do about once every three to eight days.
Sloths have many predators, including the jaguar
s, ocelot
s, harpy eagles, margay
s, and anaconda
s. If threatened, sloths can defend themselves by slashing out at a predator with their huge claws or biting with their sharp cheek teeth. However, a sloth's main defense is to avoid being attacked in the first place. The two-toed sloth can survive wounds that would be fatal to another mammal its size. The sloth's slow, deliberate movements and algae-covered fur make them difficult for predators to spot from a distance. Their treetop home is also out of reach for many larger predators.
Their long, coarse fur also protects them from sun and rain. Their fur, unlike other mammals, flows from belly to top, not top to belly, allowing rainwater to slide off the fur while the animal is hanging upside down.
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth inhabits a range of different trees within its habitat, although it seems to prefer those with plentiful lianas and direct sunlight. They have a typical home range of about 2 to 4 ha (4.9 to 9.9 ), and may spend most of their lives travelling between just 25 or so trees.
In the wild, there are about 11 times more female two-toed sloths than male two-toed sloths.
Courtship consists of the female licking the male's face and rubbing their genitals against the male's body. Gestation
lasts between 355 and 377 days, and results in the birth of a single young. Newborn sloths weigh 340 to 454 g (12 to 16 ), and are precocial
, already possessing long claws and able to cling to the mother's underside. They begin to take solid food at 15 to 27 days, and are fully weaned by nine weeks. Although relatively quiet as adults, young sloths make loud bleating alarm calls if separated from their mother.
Hoffmann's two-toed sloths reach sexual maturity at two to four years of age and have been reported to live up to 32 years in captivity.
s, sloths have a three-chambered stomach. The first two chambers hold symbiotic bacteria
to help them digest the cellulose
in their fibre-rich diet, while only the third chamber contains digestive glands typical of the stomachs of most other mammals. It may take a sloth up to a month to completely digest a meal, and up to two thirds of a sloth's weight may be due to the leaves in its digestive system.
is probably causing a decrease in the wild Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth population, but there is little reliable data on the number of wild individuals. Sloths and people have little contact with one another in the wild.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of sloth
Sloth
Sloths are the six species of medium-sized mammals belonging to the families Megalonychidae and Bradypodidae , part of the order Pilosa and therefore related to armadillos and anteaters, which sport a similar set of specialized claws.They are arboreal residents of the jungles of Central and South...
from Central
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
and South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
. It is a solitary nocturnal and arboreal animal, found in mature and secondary rainforests and deciduous forests. The common name commemorates the German naturalist Karl Hoffmann
Karl Hoffmann (naturalist)
Karl Hoffmann was a German physician and naturalist.Hoffmann was born in Stettin and studied at Berlin University. In 1853 he travelled to Costa Rica with Alexander von Frantzius to collect natural history specimens. He served as a doctor in the Costa Rican army during the invasion of William...
.
Characteristics
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth is a heavily built animal with shaggy fur and slow, deliberate, movements. The forefeet have only two toes, each ending with long, curved claws, although there are three clawed toes on each of the hindfeet. Other features that distinguish it from three-toed sloths, which may be found in the same geographic areas, include the longer snout, the fact that the toes of the forefeet are separate, rather than being partially fused, and the absence of hair on the soles of the feet.Hoffmann's two-toed sloth is, however, much easier to confuse with the related Linne's two-toed sloth, which it closely resembles. The primary physical differences between the two species related to subtle skeletal features; for example, Hoffmann's two-toed sloth has three foramina
Foramen
In anatomy, a foramen is any opening. Foramina inside the body of humans and other animals typically allow muscles, nerves, arteries, veins, or other structures to connect one part of the body with another.-Skull:...
in the upper forward part of the interpterygoid
Pterygoid processes of the sphenoid
The pterygoid processes of the sphenoid, one on either side, descend perpendicularly from the regions where the body and great wings unite.Each process consists of a medial pterygoid plate and a lateral pterygoid plate, the upper parts of which are fused anteriorly; a vertical sulcus, the...
space, rather than just two, and often - but not always - has fewer cervical vertebrae.
Adults range from 54 to 72 cm (21.3 to 28.3 ) in head-body length, and weigh anything from 2.1 to 9 kg (4.6 to 19.8 ). Although they do have a stubby tail, just 1.5 to 3 cm (0.590551181102362 to 1.2 ) long, this is too short to be visible through the long fur. The claws range are 5 to 6.5 cm (2 to 2.6 ) long. Females are larger on average than males, although there is considerable overlap in size. Their fur is tan to light brown in colour, being lighter on the face, but usually has a greenish tinge because of the presence of algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
living in the hairs.
Distribution and habitat
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth is found in the rainforest canopy in two separate regions of South America. One population is found from NicaraguaNicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
in the north to western Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
in the south, and the other in eastern Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
, western Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
, and northern Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
. It inhabits tropical forests from sea level to 3300 metres (10,826.8 ft).
Subspecies
There are five recognised subspecies:- Choloepus hoffmanni hoffmanni, PetersWilhelm PetersWilhelm Karl Hartwich Peters was a German naturalist and explorer.He was assistant to Johannes Peter Müller and later curator of the Berlin Zoological Museum. In September 1842 he travelled to Mozambique via Angola. He returned to Berlin with an enormous collection of natural history specimens...
, 1858 - Nicaragua, Costa RicaCosta RicaCosta Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
, PanamaPanamaPanama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The... - Choloepus hoffmanni agustinus, AllenJoel Asaph AllenJoel Asaph Allen was an American zoologist and ornithologist, born in Springfield, Massachusetts.He studied at Harvard University under Louis Agassiz...
, 1913 - Venezuela, western ColombiaColombiaColombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
, northern Ecuador - Choloepus hoffmanni capitalis, Allen, 1913 - western Ecuador
- Choloepus hoffmanni juruanus, LönnbergEinar LönnbergAxel Johann Einar Lönnberg was a Swedish zoologist.Lönnberg was born in Stockholm. He was head of the Vertebrate Department of the Swedish Natural History Museum from 1904 to 1932....
, 1942 - Brazil, Bolivia, extreme eastern Peru - Choloepus hoffmanni pallescens, Lönnberg, 1928 - Peru
Behaviour
Two-toed sloths spend most of their time in trees, though they may travel on the ground to move to a new tree. They are strictly nocturnal, moving slowly through the canopyCanopy (forest)
In biology, the canopy is the aboveground portion of a plant community or crop, formed by plant crowns.For forests, canopy also refers to the upper layer or habitat zone, formed by mature tree crowns and including other biological organisms .Sometimes the term canopy is used to refer to the extent...
for about eight hours each night, and spending the day sleeping in tangles of liana
Liana
A liana is any of various long-stemmed, woody vines that are rooted in the soil at ground level and use trees, as well as other means of vertical support, to climb up to the canopy to get access to well-lit areas of the forest. Lianas are especially characteristic of tropical moist deciduous...
s. They move only very slowly, typically at around 0.14 m/s, although they can move up to 50% faster when excited. They are solitary in the wild, and, aside from mothers with young, it is unusual for two to be found in a tree at the same time.
The name "sloth" means "lazy," but the slow movements of this animal are actually an adaptation for surviving on a low-energy diet of leaves. These sloths have half the metabolic rate of a typical mammal of the same size. Sloths have very poor eyesight and hearing, and rely almost entirely on their senses of touch and smell to find food.
This species often exhibits exaggerated wobbling of the head. Another trait of this sloth is that it often spits when the mouth opens. The saliva often accumulates on the lower lip, giving the creature a comical appearance.
Two-toed sloths hang from tree branches, suspended by their huge, hook-like claws. The clinging behaviour is a reflex
Reflex
A reflex action, also known as a reflex, is an involuntary and nearly instantaneous movement in response to a stimulus. A true reflex is a behavior which is mediated via the reflex arc; this does not apply to casual uses of the term 'reflex'.-See also:...
action, and sloths are found still hanging from trees after they die. The sloth spends almost its entire life, including eating, sleeping, mating, and giving birth, hanging upside down tree branches. The only time that sloths are normally found right side up is when they descend to the ground to defecate, which they only do about once every three to eight days.
Sloths have many predators, including the jaguar
Jaguar
The jaguar is a big cat, a feline in the Panthera genus, and is the only Panthera species found in the Americas. The jaguar is the third-largest feline after the tiger and the lion, and the largest in the Western Hemisphere. The jaguar's present range extends from Southern United States and Mexico...
s, ocelot
Ocelot
The ocelot , pronounced /ˈɒsəˌlɒt/, also known as the dwarf leopard or McKenney's wildcat is a wild cat distributed over South and Central America and Mexico, but has been reported as far north as Texas and in Trinidad, in the Caribbean...
s, harpy eagles, margay
Margay
The Margay is a spotted cat native to Middle and South America. Named for Prince Maximilian of Wied-Neuwied, it is a solitary and nocturnal animal that prefers remote sections of the rainforest. Although it was once believed to be vulnerable to extinction, the IUCN now lists it as "Near Threatened"...
s, and anaconda
Anaconda
An anaconda is a large, non-venomous snake found in tropical South America. Although the name actually applies to a group of snakes, it is often used to refer only to one species in particular, the common or green anaconda, Eunectes murinus, which is one of the largest snakes in the world.Anaconda...
s. If threatened, sloths can defend themselves by slashing out at a predator with their huge claws or biting with their sharp cheek teeth. However, a sloth's main defense is to avoid being attacked in the first place. The two-toed sloth can survive wounds that would be fatal to another mammal its size. The sloth's slow, deliberate movements and algae-covered fur make them difficult for predators to spot from a distance. Their treetop home is also out of reach for many larger predators.
Their long, coarse fur also protects them from sun and rain. Their fur, unlike other mammals, flows from belly to top, not top to belly, allowing rainwater to slide off the fur while the animal is hanging upside down.
Hoffmann's two-toed sloth inhabits a range of different trees within its habitat, although it seems to prefer those with plentiful lianas and direct sunlight. They have a typical home range of about 2 to 4 ha (4.9 to 9.9 ), and may spend most of their lives travelling between just 25 or so trees.
Life history
Courtship consists of the female licking the male's face and rubbing their genitals against the male's body. Gestation
Gestation
Gestation is the carrying of an embryo or fetus inside a female viviparous animal. Mammals during pregnancy can have one or more gestations at the same time ....
lasts between 355 and 377 days, and results in the birth of a single young. Newborn sloths weigh 340 to 454 g (12 to 16 ), and are precocial
Precocial
In biology, the term precocial refers to species in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. The opposite developmental strategy is called "altricial," where the young are born or hatched helpless. Extremely precocial species may be called...
, already possessing long claws and able to cling to the mother's underside. They begin to take solid food at 15 to 27 days, and are fully weaned by nine weeks. Although relatively quiet as adults, young sloths make loud bleating alarm calls if separated from their mother.
Hoffmann's two-toed sloths reach sexual maturity at two to four years of age and have been reported to live up to 32 years in captivity.
Diet
Though two-toed sloths also eat fruits and flowers, most of their diet consists of tree leaves. They use their lips to tear off their food and chew with their peg-like teeth which have no enamel and are always growing. Although they are not true ruminantRuminant
A ruminant is a mammal of the order Artiodactyla that digests plant-based food by initially softening it within the animal's first compartment of the stomach, principally through bacterial actions, then regurgitating the semi-digested mass, now known as cud, and chewing it again...
s, sloths have a three-chambered stomach. The first two chambers hold symbiotic bacteria
Bacteria
Bacteria are a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria have a wide range of shapes, ranging from spheres to rods and spirals...
to help them digest the cellulose
Cellulose
Cellulose is an organic compound with the formula , a polysaccharide consisting of a linear chain of several hundred to over ten thousand β linked D-glucose units....
in their fibre-rich diet, while only the third chamber contains digestive glands typical of the stomachs of most other mammals. It may take a sloth up to a month to completely digest a meal, and up to two thirds of a sloth's weight may be due to the leaves in its digestive system.
Conservation status
Habitat destructionHabitat destruction
Habitat destruction is the process in which natural habitat is rendered functionally unable to support the species present. In this process, the organisms that previously used the site are displaced or destroyed, reducing biodiversity. Habitat destruction by human activity mainly for the purpose of...
is probably causing a decrease in the wild Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth population, but there is little reliable data on the number of wild individuals. Sloths and people have little contact with one another in the wild.