Sloth Distribution: South and Central American Canopy Dwellers

Sloths (order Pilosa, suborder Folivora) are **exclusively Neotropical**—found only in Central and South America.

Geographic Range

• Northern limit: Southern Mexico (Veracruz, Oaxaca) — *Bradypus variegatus*, *Choloepus hoffmanni*
• Southern limit: Northern Argentina (Misiones, Corrientes) — *Bradypus variegatus*
• Elevation: Sea level to ~3,000 m (9,800 ft) in Andean cloud forests
• Countries: Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina

Species and Habitats

Habitat Requirements

• Continuous canopy for arboreal movement (rarely descend)
• Specific tree species for food (cecropia, fig, etc.)
• Thermal stability (low metabolic rate, limited thermoregulation)
• Humidity for skin/fur algae symbiosis (camouflage, nutrients)

Conservation Status

• Pygmy three-toed (*B. pygmaeus*): Critically Endangered (Isla Escudo de Veraguas, Panama only)
• Maned three-toed (*B. torquatus*): Vulnerable (Atlantic Forest, Brazil)
• Others: Least Concern to Vulnerable; all declining from habitat loss

Mapping Resources

IUCN Red List range maps; GBIF occurrence data; country-level field guides. No single "sloth map" exists due to cryptic, canopy-dwelling nature making surveys difficult.