Pygmy Three-toed Sloth

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Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth[1]
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pilosa
Family: Bradypodidae
Genus: Bradypus
Species: B. pygmaeus
Binomial name
Bradypus pygmaeus
Anderson & Handley 2001

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. As its name suggests, it is a dwarf of its mainland relatives; it is likely a product of insular dwarfism. It weighs 40% less and is 20% smaller than other three-toed sloths. 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.[2]

[edit] Population and threats

The exact number of Pygmy Three-toed Sloths is not completely known, although its population is presumably low due to its restricted range and it is estimated that there are only around a few hundred alive.[3] It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.[2] The island on which it lives is not inhabitated by humans. However, fishermen who visit the island poach the sloth, and it is an easy target, for it only lives in the mangrove forests by the sea. Also a threat is the development of the island for tourism. Although protected as a wildlife refuge, the enforcement is lax.[3]

[edit] References

Wikispecies has information related to:
  1. ^ Gardner, Alfred (November 16, 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press, 100. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. 
  2. ^ a b c Samudio, R. & members of the Edentate Specialist Group (2006). Bradypus pygmaeus. 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2007. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.
  3. ^ a b Portraits in Red. IUCN Red List. Retrieved on 2008-02-01.