Sloths are animals that live in the treetops of Central and South American rainforests. They forage for food like leaves, buds, and twigs. Sloths are mammals that sleep 15 – 20 hours and only move as far as about 40 yards each day. But they have brilliant swimming skills, because of their long arms.

There are six species of sloths, one being critically endangered and another vulnerable. There are two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths today, all about the size of a dog! Ancient giant sloths, called Megatherium, were the size of modern elephants! It’s population is estimated to be 1,500 and they can weigh from 9-17 lbs (4.08233-7.71107 kg). Distant cousins of the sloth include anteaters and armadillos. The two types of sloths that people know mostly escaped extinction when they began to live in the trees when they first came. These two sloth species, the two-toed and three-toed sloths, evolved into tree dwellers fully independent of each other. The two types of sloths evolved into six species, four with three toes and two with two toes.