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Which three-toed sloth species are considered threatened by the IUCN?
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sloth
Juvenile three-toed sloth (Bradypus) climbing a tree branch.
Among the four species of three-toed sloths, two are currently recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) as facing conservation threats:
- Pygmy three-toed sloth (B. pygmaeus): Classified as a critically endangered species.1
- Maned three-toed sloth (B. torquatus): Classified as a vulnerable species.1
The remaining two species, the brown-throated three-toed sloth and the pale-throated three-toed sloth, are categorized as species of least concern. Protecting these unique animals and their habitats is a vital ethical responsibility, as preserving biodiversity is essential for the health of our global ecosystems.1