Rainforest Expeditions (est. 1989) operates three award winning Amazon lodges: Posada Amazonas, Refugio Amazonas, and Tambopata Research Center. Each Amazon lodge provides access to a unique set of ecotourism experiences in the jungle of southeastern Peru.
Our packages include activities comprised of aspects of nature and culture of the Amazon rainforest. We offer a variety of special interest activities, tours and expeditions like Soft Adventure, Birdwatching expeditions, Family and more...
Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)
Photo: Heinz Plenge
Name: Brown throated three toed sloth
Local name: Pelejo, Perezoso
Scientific name: Bradypus variegatus
Characteristics:
1. Size up to 70 cm. Weight aprox. 5 kg.
2. Among slowest animals of Earth. They move with a speed of 0.2 Km / hour. (3 m/min) in the trees; and 0.1 Km / hour (2 m/ min) on the ground.
3. Head can turn around to an angle of 270 degrees.
4. Algae grow on their hair. Good for camouflage.
Habitat and behavior: Arboreal, solitary, nocturnal and diurnal. Mature and secondary forest.
Diet: Strictly vegetarian. Mainly eats Cecropia leaves.
Reproduction habits: Females give birth to one offspring. At the age of nine months it can hold on to the branches by itself. The brown throated three toed sloth reaches full size at the age of two years. They live up to 25 years.
Curiosities: Once a week sloths come down to the ground to defecate and urinate. Generally sleep 20 hours per day. Good swimmers. Found only in tropical America.
