The sloth is one of Costa Rica's most emblematic animals. Adored by children and families alike, this mammal is a biological treasure. Let's dive into the world of Costa Rica's sloths. But not too quickly...
The sloth, one of the oldest mammals
Along with the anteater and the armadillo, the sloth is one of the world's oldest mammals. It appeared on the American continent over 60 million years ago. Of the 6 species of sloth on the planet, two are found in Costa Rica. The three-toed sloth, also known as the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and the two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni).
The brown-throated sloth or three-toed sloth
Copyright Wikimedia
Did you know?
All sloths have 3 toes on their hind legs, so it's on their front legs that we can observe either 3 or 2 toes. All sloth toes are equipped with long claws that enable them to cling firmly to tree branches.
Let's start with the most common sloth in Costa Rica: the brown-throated or three-toed sloth.
The three claws on the front legs are characteristic of the 3-toed sloth. They can measure up to 6 cm in length. They are flattened laterally and always remain parallel to each other. The claws also serve as a defense against predators.
The brown-throated sloth can also be recognized by its brown-green coat. The hair grows from the belly to the back. The opposite of other quadrupeds. In fact, as they are mostly head-down, rain runs off more easily.
The sloth's fur is home to a unique ecosystem and microfauna of algae and insects. The very structure of the sloth's fur is unique. In fact, the older the sloth gets, the more its fur cracks. Microscopic algae take advantage of these micro-cavities to settle in. This is an essential development, as the presence of algae contributes to the sloth's camouflage.
In the Bradypus genus, males are easily identified by their "dorsal spot", an orange-colored hairless area called the speculum. It is longitudinally striped and may be accompanied by a few lateral markings. This is a gland whose function is still poorly understood.
The coloring of the head is also characteristic.
White on the forehead and top of the muzzle, with black stripes around the eyes and horizontally.
Copyright Wikimedia
The sloth, an incredible animal
The sloth has a small, stubby tail which it uses to dig a hole in which it deposits its excrement when it comes ashore.
The sloth only comes ashore once every 8 days. It does so either because there's nothing left to eat on its tree, or to defecate. They lose around 1 third of their body weight. They deposit small, more or less round droppings and cover them with leaves. The female butterfly, a commensal host, takes advantage of this to lay eggs in the droppings. The caterpillar then develops. Only after metamorphosis does the butterfly return to the treetops to reestablish itself in the sloth's fur.
They are considered healthy carriers of certain viruses. They thus play the role of reservoir, which has led scientists to pay them a great deal of attention.
Its coat is a complex ecosystem: the structure of its long, rough, unkempt coat and the humidity of its environment allow a microflora of algae to settle in. These algae improve camouflage and serve as food for insects and mites. It should be noted that the sloth has no fleas. According to counts carried out at the beginning of the last century, over 120 butterflies (Pyralidae in particular), 1,000 beetles and countless mites were found on a single individual (Source Vie Sauvage, study by J.K Waage and R.C. Best).
The lazy man's neck.
They have between 8 and 9 cervical vertebrae, whereas the rest of vertebrates have only 7. This gives the sloth a greater range of head rotation. It can turn 90° to the right and left.
The sloth has 18 teeth: 10 at the top and 8 at the bottom. Rootless, they are slightly mobile in the gums.
Its normal temperature is 32°. Note that its internal temperature varies little according to the outside temperature.
They are good swimmers and often jump into the water to escape predators.
The sloth's main predators are the endangered harpy eagle and felines.
It has very high wound regeneration capacities and, like other species in the xenarthres group, a very strong bony rib cage, protecting it from lethal attacks by other species.
The sloth's pace of life is very slow.
It sleeps 14 hours a day. He is most active around midnight and very little at dawn. It is not uncommon to see it moving during the day. The slowness of its movements contributes greatly to its camouflage and survival.
The pauraqué whippoorwill is said to resemble the droppings of a prehistoric sloth: the Mylodon robustus. Some ornithologists believe that the "pauraqué whippoorwill" bird is known in Costa Rica as the cuyeo. Mylodon were very common over 14,000 years ago, so this bird developed a camouflage identical to that of these giant sloth droppings.
The call of the rutting female is the source of its nickname (known as "Aï-Aî" in some parts of America). Similar to an "Ouch", this call can sound strange, even terrifying, in the forest.
Sloths are popular game among American Indians.
His diet
Copyrights Wijkimedia
It is a vegetarian, mostly eating leaves. He can eat about 1 third of his body weight. Being fairly light (around 4kg). It can go quite a long way up branches to find the leaves it needs without falling. It uses its arms and claws to bring the branches closer to its mouth. He always picks the leaves with his mouth and lips.
In Costa Rica, it is often said that the cecropia is the lazy man's favorite tree. In fact, it has a wide variety of trees on which it feeds. The cecropia's sparse foliage simply makes it easier to find.
Their digestion is also very slow, almost like that of ruminants. This is because the leaves are not very nutritious, so they have to ingest large quantities to meet their daily requirements. The sloth has a voluminous stomach with several chambers.
The ingestion of certain poisonous plants may explain its very slow movement. It is said to be "shot".
In a nutshell
Name (genus, species) : Bradypus variegatus
Order : xenarthres
Class : Mammals
Size : Small, arboreal, 3 claws on front and hind legs, green-brown coat with an orange patch on the back for males, dark and white head.
Weight : from 4 to 4.5kg.
Distribution : From Honduras to Argentina.
Habitat : Up to 1100 m altitude in tropical rainforests. Often seen near waterholes.
Diet : Foliivorous herbivore.
Social structure : Solitaire.
Breeding season : All year round.
Gestation : 6 months.
Number of young per litter : 1 only and 1 time per year.
Longevity : up to age 40.
The two-fingered sloth
Copyrights Wikimedia
Species of the genus Choloepus share most of the characteristics of other sloths.
The biggest difference is that they have only two toes on their front legs and 3 on their hind legs.
The two-toed sloth is also taller and heavier than its 3-toed cousin.
They can weigh up to 8kg. Their arms are shorter and their tails do not protrude from their fur, unlike the Bradypus. variegatus.
The coat color is lighter, varying from brown to white, with the legs darker than the body?
The nose is bare and the nostrils well separated.
While sight and smell are good, hearing is considered poor.
Where to see sloths in Costa Rica?
They can be seen almost everywhere in the country, at altitudes of between 0 and 1100 meters. The most common places to see them are Tortuguero, Cahuita National Park, the forests of the Arenal region, Manuel Antonio and Sarapiqui.
The guide's little hint will tell you that he most often looks in cecropia trees. With few leaves and very large, the big hairy ball hanging from a branch is easily recognizable. The presence of a watering hole nearby is also a good clue.
If you want to be sure of seeing some, you can opt to visit specialized centers such as :
A veritable institution on the Caribbean coast, you can also take part in volunteer days. Donations possible. This rescue center is essential, as the sloths are so often the victims of accidents (electric cables, accidents with vehicles, dog attacks, etc.).
Located close to Costa Rica's largest tourist center, Manuel Antonio, the Sloth Institute specializes in the preservation of sloths. You can participate as a volunteer, make donations or adopt a sloth.
Along with the anteater and the armadillo, the sloth is one of the world's oldest mammals. It appeared on the American continent over 60 million years ago. Of the 6 species of sloth on the planet, two are found in Costa Rica. The three-toed sloth, also known as the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) and the two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni).
They can be seen almost everywhere in the country, at altitudes of between 0 and 1100 meters. The most common places to see them are Tortuguero, Cahuita National Park, the forests of the Arenal region, Manuel Antonio and Sarapiqui.
The guide's little hint will tell you that he most often looks in cecropia trees. With few leaves and very large, the big hairy ball hanging from a branch is easily recognizable. The presence of a watering hole nearby is also a good clue.
If you want to be sure of seeing some, you can opt to visit specialized centers such as :
