Sloths are cat-sized mammals that live in the tropical rainforests of Central and South America. They have the following physical characteristics:
Size
Sloths can range from 24 to 31 inches long and weigh from 7.9 to 17 pounds, depending on the species. Two-toed sloths are slightly larger than three-toed sloths.
Head
Sloths have round heads with short snouts, small eyes, and tiny ears. Some species, like the Bradypus variegatus, have a darker face, white forehead, and raccoon-like band around the eyes.
Limbs
Sloths have long limbs, with forelimbs that are 50% longer than their hind limbs.
Tail
Three-toed sloths have short, round, movable tails that are about 2 to 2.4 inches long.
Fur
Sloths have long, coarse fur that is light brown to gray in color, but can often appear green due to blue-green algae growth. The fur also curves from the stomach toward the back, which is opposite from most mammals.
Claws
All four feet of a sloth have three long, curved, sharp claws that help them hang tightly onto tree branches.
