Pygmy three-toed sloth
| Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth | |
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| Species: | B. pygmaeus
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| Bradypus pygmaeus | |
The Pygmy Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) is a newly discovered three-toed sloth. Located on the tiny island of Isla Escudo de Veraguas off the coast of Panama and as its name suggests, is a dwarf of its mainland relatives. Probably a product of insular dwarfism. They weigh 40% less and are 20% smaller than other three-toed sloths. It is specialized for the mangrove forests surrounding the island and this is the only place they have been seen. Bradypus pygmaeus numbers are declining mainly because of poaching and, with a small population to begin with, their future looks bleak.
Population and Threats
The exact number of Pygmy Three-toed Sloths is not completely known, although their population is presumably low due to its restricted range and it is estimated that there are only around a few hundred alive. They are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List [1]. The island on which they live is not inhabitated by humans. But fishermen who visit the island poach the sloth and it is an easy target, for they only live in the mangrove forests by the sea. Also a threat is the development of the island for tourism. Although protected as a wildlife refuge, it is enforced loosely.
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