rEPRODUCTION sLOTH STYLE 

Pale-throated three-toed sloths reproduce by means of sexual reproduction. These sloths become sexually mature when they are about 3 years old. Reproduction is a seasonal act, and occurs like all other things occur for sloths, while hanging. Under the cover of the rainforest canopy the pale-throated three-toed sloths get busy.

 A major way to determine whether a Bradypus tridactylus is male or female is by the colors on its back. A big black mark with yellow or orange coloring around is usually the pattern for a male Bradypus tridactylus.

Pregnancy in the female Bradypus tridactylus lasts about 6 months at which it gives birth to a single young. Male sloths don't play any parental role after birth and the young stays with the mother. Baby pale-throated three-toed sloths hold onto the mother sloth until they are old enough to be independent. During this time the mother does most of the foraging and the young just watches and learns. It is also at this time in which the young sloth learns which foods to eat from its mother, and sticks with them throughout the rest of its life.

 

Bradypus tridactylus young become independent around 5 months of age, at which they release from their mother and start a life of their own.

Bradypus tridactylus grow to be about 2 meters tall. A normal life span for a pale-throated three-toed sloth is around 12 years, but they have been known to live as old as 40!

Need sloth nutrition? click here!