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How can Hoffmann's two-toed sloth be distinguished from Linnaeus's two-toed sloth?

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A juvenile three-toed sloth hangs from a tree branch surrounded by green leaves in Costa Rica. — sloth Juvenile three-toed sloth (*Bradypus*) climbing a tree branch.

Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus) are two distinct species within the genus Choloepus. While they share many physical characteristics, they can be reliably distinguished by the coloration of the fur on their throats:

Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth: Features a conspicuously pale throat.1
Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth: Features a dark throat.1

Additionally, the two species occupy different geographic ranges. Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth is found in northern South America, specifically east of the Andes and south to the central Amazon basin. In contrast, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth has a broader distribution, ranging from Nicaragua through Central America and into parts of South America, including Peru and western Brazil.1