Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Endangered species: Pygmy sloth

Endangered species: Pygmy sloth

The Pygmy Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus pygmaeus) is a three-toed sloth. Its habitat is located on the tiny
island of Isla Escudo de Veraguas off the coast of Panama. It is specialized for the mangrove forests surrounding the island and this is the only place it has been seen. The population size of the Pygmy
Three-toed Sloth is declining mainly because of poaching. The exact number of Pygmy Three-toed
Sloths is unknown, but it is estimated that there are only around a few hundred alive. It is listed as
critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. The island on which it lives is not inhabited by humans.