What is the unique difference between the three-toed sloths and the two-toed ones?

Sloths are a group of arboreal Neotropical xenarthran (placental) mammals, constituting the suborder "Folivora". Noted for their slowness of movement, they spend most of their lives hanging upside down in the trees of the tropical rainforests of South and Central America. Sloths are so named because of their very low metabolism and deliberate movements.

Sloths can be 60 to 80 cm (24 to 31 in) long and, depending on the species, weigh from 3.6 to 7.7 kg (7.9 to 17.0 lb). Two-toed sloths are slightly larger. Sloths have long limbs and rounded heads with tiny ears. Three-toed sloths also have stubby tails about 5 to 6 cm (2.0 to 2.4 in) long. Sloths are unusual among mammals in not having seven cervical vertebrae. Two-toed sloths have five to seven, while three-toed sloths have eight or nine. These extra neck vertebrae allow the three-toed to turn their heads some 270 degrees.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org

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15 Comments

dmarkc

3-toed sloths can count higher.

Leapy Lee

This seems an incredibly technical question to me. A far more simple one might’ve been that the extra toes are only on their front limbs and they have the same number of toes on their hind limbs.

Cheryl Love

Joris van Pelt, 3-toed sloths have 2 “fingers” on forelimbs.

Cheryl Love

vonlora, all sloths have tails.

Cheryl Love

The 3-toed sloth has three “toes” on each hindlimb and two “fingers” on each forelimb, making 2 answers correct.

Sue Grayson

I thought one toe would be an option.

vonlora

only knew the 3 toe has a tail and the 2 toe does not

Bank-Robber

A smile and an extra toe!!!

John W Shreve

One other mammal has more or fewer than seven cervical vertebrae, the manatee.

Joris van Pelt

The difference between the two genera of sloths is that the two-toed sloths have two toes (2) on their front limbs or arms, whereas the three-toed sloths have three.(3)