There are five extant (living) species in the Bradypodidae family. They are found in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America.

Three-toed sloths are about 2 feet (0.6 meters) long. They have round heads, small ears, and short tails. Their long, thick, shaggy fur has tiny grooves along each hair.

Their fur is usually grayish-brown or yellowish-brown, but it can look green because algae grow in the grooves of their hair. This greenish color helps them blend in with the leaves and branches around them. Unlike most mammals, a sloth’s fur grows from its belly toward its back. This unusual pattern helps water run off its fur when it hangs upside down.

Three-toed sloths have long arms and shorter legs. Each of their four feet has three toes with long, curved claws. These claws help them grip branches and hang upside down in the trees.

Three-toed sloths spend most of their lives in trees, where they move slowly and carefully through the branches. They are herbivores and eat mostly leaves, along with some buds, flowers, and fruit. Their leafy diet provides relatively little energy, and their bodies digest food slowly. Sloths sleep for many hours each day and can be active during both the day and the night.

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