The three-toed sloth has fur that commonly supports green algae, helping it blend with leaves.
Sloths move slowly through the canopy, and their coarse fur provides a suitable surface for algae and other organisms. The greenish tint can make a resting sloth difficult to see among foliage. This camouflage is especially useful because sloths spend much of their time hanging beneath branches.
Three-toed sloths belong to the family Bradypodidae and are distinct from two-toed sloths, which belong to the family Choloepodidae. The name refers to the three large claws on each forelimb, although sloths also have three toes on their hind feet.
The algae is not the only organism associated with sloth fur. Specialized moths also live in it, and the relationship is often discussed as an example of a small rainforest ecosystem carried by one animal. Sloths primarily eat leaves and have a slow digestive system.