two-toed sloth

noun

1. either of two sloths of the genus Choloepus, having two claws on the forelimbs and three on the hind limbs, including C. didactylus and C. hoffmanni.

Word History and Origins

Origin of two-toed sloth¹

First recorded in 1765–75

Example Sentences

The three-toed sloth (Bradypus) has three digits in the fore-limb, the two-toed sloth (Cholpus) only two.

From Project Gutenberg

One day, as we were crossing the Essequibo, I saw a large two-toed sloth on the ground upon the bank.

From Project Gutenberg