Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth Population Down to Less Than 100

05/29/2012

Maybe it's their tousled hair, pug nose, or their laid-back, leisurely demeanor, but few animals are at once so raggedy and charming as sloths. That's just part of what makes this news so unpleasant: the world's smallest species of sloth, the pygmy three-toed sloth, is in imminent risk of extinction after a recent survey of their population counted less than 100, reports mongabay.com.

Described for the first time in 2001, pygmy sloths are listed as number 16 in the world's 100 most unique and imperiled mammals, compiled by ZSL's EDGE program. The entire species is found on a single island, Escudo Island, off the coast of Panama. They are believed to be descendants of the mainland population of brown-throated three-toed sloths which became marooned on the island some 9,000 years ago. The population eventually evolved into a new species through insular dwarfism.

Aside from being miniature versions of their mainland cousins, pygmy sloths are also the world's slowest sloth. They are also completely docile and unafraid of humans, which is a common behavior found in many species that evolve on islands devoid of natural predators.

"When they see me they have no clue what to think. They must just think I am some big, very strange sloth coming to say hello," said sloth researcher Bryson Voirin to mongabay.com.

[Related: Watch Baby Sloths Get Swaddled!]

Unfortunately, it's their docile nature that could be putting them in peril. Human impacts such as deforestation and hunting could be adding stress to the animals, and their island home is increasingly becoming a stopover for local fishermen who sometimes bring families and even their dogs ashore. Until more conservation research is performed, though, the exact cause of their plummeting numbers cannot be known for sure.

The good news is that Escudo Island has already been designated a protected area, and a conservation plan is currently being drafted thanks to funds provided by ZSL (donate here). A few of the options being considered include strengthening coalitions with local communities, reforesting Escudo's declining mangroves, and possibly even breeding sloths in captivity.

Check out the following video, provided by Hidden Clover, for a presentation about Escudo Island and its unique sloths:

 

Header Photo: HiddenCloverVideos/YouTube

By Bryan Nelson

Comments

[iUniverse]

Thanks for writing this. I really feel as though I know so much more about this than I did before. Your blog really brought some things to light that I never would have thought about before reading it. You should continue this, I’m sure most people would agree you’ve got a gift.

[dallas cowboys tony romo jersey]

Very glad to see your blog, thank you share so many interesting things. Hope that in the future can see you day published more interesting! Can see your blog I very happy! Thanks for your sharing, I wish you a happy life!Your blog is very beautiful, the style is very cool! See the things that I think is very interested in oh, thank you for sharing! I wish you good luck!

[Remedies For Stomach Ache]

Thanks for writing this. I really feel as though I know so much more about this than I did before. Your blog really brought some things to light that I never would have thought about before reading it. You should continue this, I’m sure most people would agree you’ve got a gift.

[Food and Wine Magazine Recipes]

I used to be more than happy to search out this web-site. I needed to thanks in your time for this excellent learn!! I undoubtedly having fun with every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to take a look at new stuff you blog post.

[Four Hour Body Diet]

Nice to be visiting your blog again, it has been months for me. Well this article that i've been waited for so long. I need this article to complete my assignment in the college, and it has same topic with your article. Thanks, great share.

[visit website]

This is highly informatics, crisp and clear. I thik that everything has been described in systematic manner so that reader could get maximum information and learn many things.

[visit website]

This is highly informatics, crisp and clear. I thik that everything has been described in systematic manner so that reader could get maximum information and learn many things.

[visit website]

This is highly informatics, crisp and clear. I thik that everything has been described in systematic manner so that reader could get maximum information and learn many things.

[Abortion Articles Help]

I was looking for this. I'll come back to this blog for sure! I bookmarked this blog a while ago because of the useful content.

[skin tag removal]

Less than 100 is really very less amount. And we all need to think on it. I totally enjoyed reading your post.

[development for android]

I'm delighted to read this article. As you have focused on their populations very nicely and in correct manner.

[www.urticaria.com]

This is such an unique article to read. I am so surprised that there are people who are thinking about others and their existence.

[awesome website]

i just leave it

[Breast implant capsular contraction San Francisco]

I truly enjoyed this. It has been extremely informative as well as useful.thanks for sharing the information.

[videographer singapore]

I am really impressed by reading this article. Interesting post and I really like your take on the issue. I now have a clear idea on what this matter is all about. Thank you so much, keep it up, do more efforts in future.

[Birthday Gift service to Pakistan]

I really like this website, and hope you will write more, thanks a lot for your information.

[drive costume]

It was really a great blog.

[hep c symptoms]

This is indeed a sad news as less than 100 pygmy three-toed sloth is present. This species should be preserved and taken care.

[paintball pistols]

How cool are sloths, I really enjoyed your article,thanks.

[mp4 to avi converter]

This topic has always been one of my favorite subjects to read about. I have found your post to be very rousing and full of good information. I will check your other articles shortly.

[Jeans Traders]

Ive come across in some time ! Its just incredible how much you can take away from something simply because of how visually beautiful it is.

[psoriasis cure]

The above post is dedicated to an animal i.e.pygmy sloths which is only found on Escudo Island. It is indeed a very rare species.

[Scientific Calculator Price]

Awesoem posting thanks for share with us!!!

[reno injury lawyer]

It is very neccessary to save the rare creatures.

[home mole removal]

Panama Government can solve the problems by restricting access to the island and With 1 security guard.