Meet the Two Sloths of the Osa Peninsula: Nature’s Slow-Moving Wonders

Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula is home to some of the richest biodiversity on the planet—including two of its most iconic and beloved residents: the two-toed sloth (Choloepus hoffmanni) and the three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus). These charming creatures live life in the slow lane, literally, and getting a glimpse of them in the wild is a highlight for many visitors.

The Three-Toed Sloth: The Classic Charmer

The three-toed sloth, with its distinctive permanent “smile,” is the smaller and more commonly spotted of the two. It has a rounded head, a lighter face, and, of course, three claws on each limb. These sloths are diurnal (active during the day), which increases your chances of seeing one during a tour.

Three-toed sloths are incredibly slow-moving, averaging just 0.24 kilometers per hour. But this isn’t laziness—it’s strategy. Their sluggishness helps them conserve energy and avoid detection by predators like harpy eagles and jaguars. Their coarse fur often hosts entire ecosystems of its own, including algae, beetles, and even moths, giving them a greenish tint that helps them blend into the rainforest canopy.

They are strictly folivores, feeding mostly on leaves, and they spend almost their entire lives in trees, coming down only about once a week to defecate—a risky trip that’s still one of nature’s great mysteries.

The Two-Toed Sloth: The Nighttime Navigator

The two-toed sloth is larger, fluffier, and a bit more elusive. With a longer snout and a more pigmented face, it has a different vibe than its three-toed cousin. This species is nocturnal and more agile, making it trickier to spot during the day. But if you catch a nighttime tour or are up early, you might be lucky.

Unlike the strict leaf diet of the three-toed sloth, two-toed sloths are omnivorous. They munch on leaves, fruits, flowers, and occasionally even small insects or bird eggs. This varied diet gives them a slight edge in terms of adaptability.

They’re also a bit speedier (for a sloth), capable of using their strong limbs and hooked claws to hang upside down for hours. In fact, they even sleep, eat, and give birth while hanging from branches.

Habitat & Fun Facts

Both sloth species thrive in the lush rainforests of the Osa Peninsula, especially in areas with dense tree cover and abundant food sources. Primary forests, secondary growth, and even some farm edges serve as their peaceful homes.

Fun fact #1: Sloths have more neck vertebrae than any other mammal, which means they can turn their heads a whopping 270 degrees—almost owl-like!

Fun fact #2: Despite their reputation for slowness, sloths are surprisingly good swimmers and will sometimes cross rivers to reach new trees.

Fun fact #3: A sloth’s fur ecosystem helps camouflage it and may even offer health benefits, like protection from parasites.