One of the most unique and rare species of sloth in the world, and it’s found only in the Atlantic coastal forests of Brazil. As its name suggests, this sloth is best known for the dark, mane-like hair around its neck and shoulders, which gives it a shaggy, lion-like appearance. This “mane” sets it apart from other sloths and adds to its mysterious, almost mythical look. Among the three-fingered sloths, the maned sloth is the most endangered, largely due to the shrinking of its forest habitat.

Like other sloths, the maned sloth is slow-moving and tree-dwelling, spending most of its life hanging upside down in the forest canopy. It has long limbs, hooked claws, and a gentle, sleepy face that makes it both endearing and elusive. Its fur is coarse and often covered in algae, which helps it blend into the green surroundings. This camouflage, along with its stillness, helps it avoid predators like eagles and wild cats. The maned sloth feeds mostly on leaves, and because leaves are low in energy, its metabolism is extremely slow — which is why it moves so little and sleeps so much.

One of the maned sloth’s most distinct traits is its extremely limited range. It is found only in the Atlantic Forest, a biodiversity hotspot that has lost much of its original coverage due to deforestation and human development. This sloth prefers dense, old-growth forest with a tall canopy, where it can move from tree to tree without needing to come down to the ground. When it does descend — usually to relieve itself — it becomes vulnerable, but it rarely needs to do so thanks to its efficient digestion and lifestyle.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Brazil

EN

2024

Bahia, Sergipe