preview

Pygmy Sloth Research Paper

Decent Essays

Regina Ngo Ngo 1
Mrs. Gilbert
Honors English 1B
10 March 2015
Endangered Animals: The Three-Toed Sloth
The Bradypus Pygmaeus, also known as the pygmy three-toed sloth, is one of the strangest creatures in the world, but unfortunately like most animals they have been greatly impacted by the negligent actions of humanity. The pygmy sloth is “listed as Critically Endangered as this species has a very restricted range, being found on only one very small island less than 5 km² in size, and there is likely a continuing decline in the quality of habitat and area of occupancy due to habitat degradation” (Voirin, Smith, Chiarello, …show more content…

They are only known to be from this island which has an area of 4.3km² and is 17.6 km² away from its mainland, Panama. Unfortunately, the pygmy sloth heavily relies on the red mangrove forests that only covers a very small amount of land as their home and main food source. Also, the red mangrove leaves are a poor source of nutrients, but the sloths were able to adapt by going through an extremely rapid body size evolution many years ago. Their smaller body sizes allow them to consume less energy and still keep the same diet. Even though the pygmy sloth’s habitat is very restricting, there would be no better place for them to …show more content…

When they remove waste, the sloths do a routine called the poop dance. They descend from the tree to the ground, hug the base of the tree, shake their hips side to side, and relief themselves. As they do their business, their smile tends to widen just a bit and their eyes defocus. In addition, most sloths become sexually mature around three years of age. They use loud vocalizations as mating calls due to their bad eyesight. After finding a mate, baby sloths develop in their mothers for six to twelve months. Baby sloths cling to their mother’s underside and remain with them for a year before living on their own. The average life expectancy of sloths ranges from thirty to forty years. Although there is not much known specifically on the pygmy sloth, scientists can infer much about them by using information known on other

Get Access