13 Countries and Rainforests Where Most Wild Sloths Live

We all love our favorite animated sloth from the movie Ice Age, Sid. While sloths are often depicted as living in all types of climates in movies and TV, they actually thrive best in tropical rainforests with thick foliage. This makes locations in Central and South America perfect for them to live. So, which countries and rainforests do most wild sloths live?

There are six species of sloths, each with different traits that help them survive. Below, we’ll introduce you to each country where species of sloths live and the locations they can be found in. So, let’s get into it.

#1 Brazil

Brazil is home to five of the six species of sloths, which include the pale-throated (Bradypus tridactylus), Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus), Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni), and the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus). Both the pale-throated and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth can be found north of the Amazon River. Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth can be found in the thick forests to the west. On the other hand, the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is found all over the country and adapts well to each region. Lastly, the maned sloth can be found in the Atlantic Forest on the country’s southeast coastline.

#2 Venezuela

Four of the six sloth species are in the diverse country of Venezuela. The Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, Brown-throated, and Pale-throated sloth. Almost 20% of the country is national parklands, such as the Canaima National Park, also known as Parque Nacional Canima. This is home to a handful of sloths.

Specifically, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth lives in Sierra de Perija National Park to the west. On the other hand, the Brown-throated sloth and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth roam alongside the southside. Lastly, the Pale-throated sloth lives in Canaima National Park and Parima Tapiraoeco National Park.

#3 Colombia

Colombia is home to three of the six sloth species. This includes Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth, the brown-throated, and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth. Amongst the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines lives the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth. However, the Brown-throated and Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth live inside the rainforests in the areas. One popular location where wild sloths are seen is Cartagena, a Columbia city.

#4 Peru

Three of the six sloth species live in Peru, including Hoffmann’s sloth, Linnaeus’s two-toed, and Brown-throated sloth. The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve has three sloth species residing on the northeastern side. In addition, the Tambopata National Reserve, located to the southeast, is also a habitat for sloths. They can also live east of the Andes Mountains and inside the Amazon rainforest.

Peru was also once home to the giant sloth, a massive species weighing up to 2,200 pounds. According to carbon dating, the giant sloth went extinct nearly 9,500 years ago. Remains of the species are in Mapinguari Valley and are prevalent in museums.

#5 Bolivia

Bolivia is home to the Brown-throated sloth, found in tropical rainforests across the country. Santa Cruz is a city located in Bolivia and has a unique charm. Sloths live around the city, as it has the perfect tropical climate for the species to thrive. Other areas include Cotoca, a small town, Plaza de Armas, Curichi La Madre, and Jardin Botanico.

#6 Costa Rica

There are two out of the six sloths located in Costa Rica. The country is one of the most biodiverse in the world. It includes multiple national parks with plenty of foliage, perfect for sloths. The Brown-throated sloth and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth can be found in numerous areas, including Corcovado, Manuel Antonio, and Santa Rosa. Another reserve is the Tortuguero National Park.

#7 Panama

Three of the six sloths can live inside Panama‘s vast forests. This includes the Pygmy three-toed sloth (Bradypus pygamaeus), Brown-throated sloth, and Hoffman’s two-toed sloth. While these sloths are across Central America, they roam in the Metropolitan Park inside Panama City. Other areas include Soberania National Park and the Gamboa Wildlife Rescue Center. The Pygmy sloth thrives on the Isla Escudo de Veraguas, an isolated island off the Caribbean coast.

#8 Ecuador

Ecuador is home to three types of sloths, including the Goffmann’s two-toed sloth, the Brown-throated sloth, and the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth. With a diverse ecosystem, Ecuador has multiple areas where sloths can be found. The Hoffman’s two-toed and Brown-throated sloth can often be found alongside the coasts. Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth can be found in rainforests across Ecuador, such as the Amazon, Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve, and the Tasuni National Park.

#9: Guyana

Two types of sloth reside in Guyana, located in the northeastern corner of South America. Here, the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth and Palet-throated sloth reside. Both of these sloths can live on Sloth Island, next to the Essequibo River, or at the Kaieteur National Park.

#10 Honduras

There are two of the six species of sloths living in Honduras. One of the two is the Brown-throated sloth and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth. In the state’s southeastern region, the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth thrives. To the north, the Brown-throated sloth can be found. One of the best places to see is in Roatan, Honduras. However, you can find them inside the many rainforests in Honduras. They tend to live in low to middle elevations in remote locations.

#11 French Guiana

Two of the six species of sloths can live in French Guiana. Species include the Pale-throated three-toed sloth and the Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth. Most sloths live alongside the Sinnamary River or the Putative Reservoir. However, many sloths are relocated to animal rescues across the country. One of the areas includes the Chou Ai Rescue Center.

#12 Suriname

Two of the six sloths live in Suriname, which includes Linnaeus’s two-toed sloth and the Pale-throated sloth. These sloths live in the Brownsberg Nature Park, and remote rainforest areas spread throughout the country. Sloths also residue in the Central Nature Reserve.

#13 Nicaragua

In Nicaragua, there are two of the six sloth species, which include the Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth and the Brown-throated sloth. The country has nearly seventy wildlife refuges and nature reserves, each protecting the wildlife. The two sloths live in the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve and the Bosawas Biosphere Reserve.

The 13 Countries and Rainforests Where Most Wild Sloths Live

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