CR

Pygmy Three-toed Sloth

Bradypus pygmaeus

Declining

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The pygmy three-toed sloth faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Isla Escudo de Veraguas, Panama, covering just 4.3 square kilometers. Habitat destruction from mangrove clearing for development and tourism infrastructure poses the most immediate danger to the estimated 79 remaining individuals. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten to submerge critical low-lying mangrove habitat, while human disturbance from boat traffic and potential tourism development fragments the already tiny population.

Threat summary

Habitat

The pygmy three-toed sloth is endemic to the red mangrove forests of Isla Escudo de Veraguas, a small Caribbean island off Panama's coast. These sloths depend entirely on the island's Rhizophora mangle mangrove trees for food, shelter, and breeding habitat in this unique coastal ecosystem.

Forest· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical moist lowland· majorForest - Subtropical/tropical mangrove vegetation· major

Conservation measures underway

Site/area protectionSpecies managementLegislationCompliance and enforcement

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Pygmy Three-toed Sloth classified as Critically Endangered?
Pygmy Three-toed Sloth is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. The pygmy three-toed sloth faces severe threats from its extremely restricted range on Isla Escudo de Veraguas, Panama, covering just 4.3 square kilometers. Habitat destruction from mangrove clearing for development and tourism infrastructure poses the most immediate danger to the estimated 79 remaining individuals. Rising sea levels and increased storm intensity threaten to submerge critical low-lying mangrove habitat, while human disturbance from boat traffic and potential tourism development fragments the already tiny population.
Where does Pygmy Three-toed Sloth live?
Pygmy Three-toed Sloth occurs in Panama. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Pygmy Three-toed Sloth?
The main threats to Pygmy Three-toed Sloth are 1.3, 5.4, 6.1, and ai-1. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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