Voted Travelers' Choice 2023
Find Your Next Adventure
Where Will You Go Next?
Find Your Next Adventure
Where Will You Go Next?
Resources For Photographers
About Our Company
JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP - THE BCJ TRIBE
Sloths of Costa Rica
by BCJ Staff
Gazing up into the canopies of the Costa Rican rainforest it can be difficult to distinguish what you are looking at. The forest can be so dark, varied, and dense that it is hard to pick out critters even when they are right above you. Then out of the corner of your eye, you might notice what you thought was part of a tree begin to move. As you see this mass move slowly up the tree you realize it is one of the two species of sloth that call Costa Rica home.
There are two distinct species of sloth that are native to Costa Rica. They are the Brown Throated Three-Toed sloth and the other is the Hoffman’s Two-Toed Sloth. Both species are common assuming you know where to look. Sloths are mainly tree dwellers and are on the ground rarely.
It is rather easy to distinguish between the two species because the black eye patches and “smiling” face belongs to the docile Three-Toed Sloth while the larger Two-Toed sloth has a white ringed face, shaggy coats, and brown snouts. In addition, their hair is covered with algae which provide the sloth with natural camouflage in the trees where they spend roughly their entire lives while only rarely being on the jungle floor where they are at a huge disadvantage.
While not technically on the endangered species list, due to human encroachment on their territory the numbers of Costa Rican sloths have decreased over the years. With increased urbanization, farming and tourism it is important that the conservation of this species is of utmost importance. It is crucial that their habitat stays intact, urbanization curtailed and tourism soundly managed so as not to further destroy the environment for the animals otherwise they may not be around in the future if conservation goals are not met.
The two varieties of Sloth in Costa Rica are in danger of being marginalized by either being injured or killed due to disease and habitat destruction due to the encroachment of their territory by people.
Sloths are injured or killed because of the rapid expansion of their former territory being cultivated for human development. These are incredibly slow-moving creatures so with expanded urbanization and farming the Sloths’ territory is shrinking. Each road that is built cuts into its territory and when the sloths have to cross the roads to reach the areas that they live they are in danger due to their slow speed of being hit by vehicles.
During Backcountry Journeys’ Wildlife of Costa Rica photography tour, we will photograph these incredible, yet mysterious creatures deep in the rainforests of Osa Peninsula. Both species of Sloth are both interesting and cute. They are very expressive and can be an interesting challenge to photograph while high up in the canopy. We often have to wait as they sloooowly move from branch to branch in order to get a clean shot!
Want to photograph Sloths in Costa Rica this year as well as Monkeys, Dart Frogs, Toucans, Macaws and more? Join Backcountry Journeys on our Wildlife of Costa Rica photography tour, and explore the Osa Peninsula of this fabulously wild country.
It is rather easy to distinguish between the two species because the black eye patches and “smiling” face belongs to the docile Three-Toed Sloth while the larger Two-Toed sloth has a white ringed face, shaggy coats, and brown snouts. In addition, their hair is covered with algae which provide the sloth with natural camouflage in the trees where they spend roughly their entire lives while only rarely being on the jungle floor where they are at a huge disadvantage.
While not technically on the endangered species list, due to human encroachment on their territory the numbers of Costa Rican sloths have decreased over the years. With increased urbanization, farming and tourism it is important that the conservation of this species is of utmost importance. It is crucial that their habitat stays intact, urbanization curtailed and tourism soundly managed so as not to further destroy the environment for the animals otherwise they may not be around in the future if conservation goals are not met.
The two varieties of Sloth in Costa Rica are in danger of being marginalized by either being injured or killed due to disease and habitat destruction due to the encroachment of their territory by people.
Sloths are injured or killed because of the rapid expansion of their former territory being cultivated for human development. These are incredibly slow-moving creatures so with expanded urbanization and farming the Sloths’ territory is shrinking. Each road that is built cuts into its territory and when the sloths have to cross the roads to reach the areas that they live they are in danger due to their slow speed of being hit by vehicles.
During Backcountry Journeys’ Wildlife of Costa Rica photography tour, we will photograph these incredible, yet mysterious creatures deep in the rainforests of Osa Peninsula. Both species of Sloth are both interesting and cute. They are very expressive and can be an interesting challenge to photograph while high up in the canopy. We often have to wait as they sloooowly move from branch to branch in order to get a clean shot!
Want to photograph Sloths in Costa Rica this year as well as Monkeys, Dart Frogs, Toucans, Macaws and more? Join Backcountry Journeys on our Wildlife of Costa Rica photography tour, and explore the Osa Peninsula of this fabulously wild country.
arrow_drop_down_circle
Divider Text
AUTHOR
SEARCH THE BLOG
clear
Join our free photo-travel community group on Facebook. A great place to swap stories & share images with fellow photographers!
Live events & webinars from the comfort of your own home. Free webinars on a variety of photography related topics – from photo editing to composition & more.
Check out the BCJ Trip Calendar for all of our upcoming Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris!
FEATURED TRIP:
Brown Bears of Alaska: Beyond Brooks
Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness and capture stunning images of Brown Bears!
Brown Bears of Alaska: Beyond Brooks
Immerse yourself in the Alaskan wilderness and capture stunning images of Brown Bears!
UPCOMING TRIPS WITH AVAILABILITY
[Block//Web Spots Left]
Price: [Block//Current Price]
Dates: [Block//Start Date %n/j/Y%+0] to [Block//End Date %n/j/Y%+0]
READ OUR NEWSLETTER FOR NEW TRIPS, ARTICLES, & PROMOS
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations include Yosemite, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Utah as well as Botswana & Costa Rica."
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
- Russ Nordstrand, Backcountry Journeys Founder & Director
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLCs - Copyright 2024
BACKCOUNTRY JOURNEYS
"Backcountry Journeys offers guests the unique opportunity to explore our natural world from behind their own lens. We run a selection of hand-crafted Photo Tours, Workshops & Safaris connecting passionate people to exceptional experiences. Locations include Yosemite, Alaska, Yellowstone, Glacier National Park, Hawaii, Utah as well as Botswana & Costa Rica."
All Images & Content are property of Backcountry Journeys Photography Tours, Workshops & Safaris LLC - Copyright 2024
TRIP CATALOG
Download our Trip Catalog for detailed information on our many destinations for photography tours, workshops, and safaris.