maned sloth

mammal

Also known as: Bradypus torquatus

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

July 23, 2026

Quick Summary

The maned sloth is a species of three-toed sloth found in the Atlantic forests of southeastern Brazil. Sloths are tree-dwelling mammals known for their extremely slow movements, a characteristic attributed to their low-calorie diet and slow metabolism. They spend most of their time hanging upside down in the forest canopy, feeding on leaves.12

There are two main families of sloths: two-toed sloths (Megalonychidae) and three-toed sloths (Bradypodidae). The maned sloth, along with other three-toed sloths, has long legs, hook-like claws for gripping branches, and a rounded head. Their shaggy fur often hosts algae, giving them a greenish camouflage. Sloths descend to the ground about once a week to urinate and defecate, a vulnerable but essential process for nutrient cycling.13

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

3 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

sloth
Three-toed sloths
…in northern South America; the maned sloth (B. torquatus) is restricted to the small Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil; and the pygmy three-toed sloth (B. pygmaeus) inhabits the Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small Caribbean island off the northwestern coast of Panama.
Read More
…in northern South America; the maned sloth (B. torquatus) is restricted to the small Atlantic forest of southeastern Brazil; and the pygmy three-toed sloth (B. pygmaeus) inhabits the Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small Caribbean island off the northwestern coast of Panama.
Read More