We describe two cases of total albinism in brownthroated three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus) captured at the Metropolitan Mesoregion of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil.

Giant anteaters and southern tamanduas are often sympatric throughout their range and are both found in the Pantanal wetland. Density, habitat use, selection, and habitat overlap between both species were estimated in the central region of the Brazilian Pantanal. A total of 2,174 km of transects were walked through three different landscapes and five different habitat types. Using strip transect methods, densities of giant anteaters in the study area were estimated at 0.15 individuals/km², and 0.34 individuals/km² for southern tamanduas. Densities of both species were highest in forest landscapes. Southern tamanduas significantly selected the forest edge habitat. Scrub grasslands had the highest selection ratio for giant anteaters. Results from this study do not indicate that the two species partition habitat. Deforestation in the Pantanal is predicted to be detrimental to both species of anteaters.

Armadillos represent the most diverse family of xenarthrans. Although many studies have been done on these mammals, several topics, such as their local distribution, natural history, behavioral ecology and conservation, remain poorly known. Chaetophractus villosus and Zaedyus pichiy are the most common armadillos in extra-Andean Patagonia, a vast area in southern Argentina and Chile that encompasses different ecosystems and has been modified by human activities, mainly by sheep grazing. In this work we present new data on the distribution, natural history, conservation, and ecology of C. villosus and Z. pichiy from central Patagonia (Chubut and Río Negro provinces, Argentina). We registered 60 localities for C. villosus and 35 for Z. pichiy that confirm their presence in wide sectors of central Patagonia. Furthermore, we confirmed that these two armadillo species suffer high rates of mortality due to their use as a protein source, hunting by dogs, road traffic, and poisoning, among others. We conclude that their populations are at risk of overexploitation and local extinction. The basic knowledge provided here will be a first step towards the conservation of these characteristic Patagonian mammals.

The objective of this study was to develop and test a temporary marking technique to individually identify free-living brown-throated three-toed sloths Bradypus variegatus at the Ecological Station of Caetés, Pernambuco, Brazil. Forty-six sloths of different genders and age classes were used. The ungueal marking consisted of painting the dorsal and lateral areas of the foreclaws with nail polish of various colors. Monitoring was carried out with binoculars and recapture. The technique did not show any adverse effects on the natural and social habits of the individuals or on the claws. The markings lasted for a period of up to 9 months with variations between individuals, lasting a shorter time in young animals. This type of marking has shown to be satisfactory for the identification of free-living animals and may also be used for studying captive and semi-captive sloths.

The greater naked-tailed armadillo Cabassous tatouay is one of the least-known armadillo species. Field records are rare, if not controversial, and only few specimens exist in scientific collections in Brazil. This species is listed in the Brazilian Red List of Threatened Species as well as in six official Brazilian state Red Lists. Fieldwork was performed between 2005 and 2008 to monitor wildlife in the central-western region of São Paulo State. Cabassous tatouay was registered in three opportunities, in the municipalities of Agudos, Borebi and Avaré, and ecological and morphometrical data were registered. Although this species tolerates altered habitats, the scarce field records may be related to its habits and have led to the lack of basic information on greater naked-tailed armadillos. This communication provides important ecological and biogeographical information about C. tatouay.

Armadillo burrows are important structures for shelter and reproduction, and may be used as a source of information in ecological studies. In regions where several species coexist, it is necessary to know if the burrow measures are useful for species identification. We investigated whether burrow entrance morphometry is useful for differentiating four armadillo species in the central Amazon and evaluated whether entrance size was related to site topography. We registered entrance height and width, and entrance tunnel angle for each burrow encountered in 61 plots. We estimated the elevation and mean declination of the terrain at each burrow site. We measured the entrances of 188 armadillo burrows. Mean entrance height was 19.15 ± 5.04 cm and mean width 22.76 ± 5.85 cm. These variables were positively correlated and therefore not useful to distinguish individual species. Burrow size was not related to site topography. Burrows with similar dimensions may be built by species of similar size or by individuals of differentsized species belonging to different age classes. Apart from being a good record of habitat use by armadillos, in this region, burrow entrances do not supply information about the individual species using them.

Observations of the courtship behaviour and mating of two couples of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) were carried out during the months of June and September 2004; July 2005; November 2006; and March 2007, at the Bioparque Los Ocarros, Colombia. The enclosure of the animals is semicircular, with an approximate area of 100 m², and permanently equipped with live trees, trunks, anthills, fresh water, troughs and refuges for resting. Data were collected by means of Ad Libitum sampling with Continuous and Multifocal Animal Registration. A total of 143 registrations corresponding to 39 behaviours were obtained. A basic ethogram and a descriptive diagram with coded behaviours were developed.

One of the main problems in keeping lesser anteaters (Tamandua mexicana) in captivity is the formulation of an appropriate artificial diet. At “Miguel Álvarez del Toro” Zoo (ZooMAT), Chiapas, México, the lesser anteaters are fed with a mixture of chicken, orange juice, hard-boiled egg, vitamins, minerals, formic acid, and vinegar. Weak animals are sometimes allowed to naturally feed on termite mounds. The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional value of the diet used at ZooMAT and compare it with the nutritional requirements for this species. Dry matter, fat, ash, crude fiber, and protein content of the mixture offered daily to the lesser anteaters were analyzed. The artificial diet covers the protein and energetic needs, while fiber contents are low. All lesser anteaters should be given access to termite mounds to increase fiber consumption. Furthermore, the change to a commercial diet for insectivores should be considered.

The giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) is considered Vulnerable in Brazil. Information on its captive maintenance and reproduction is scarce, but may be of great importance for the conservation of this species. This article provides information on the management, diet, birth rates, survival rates, causes of newborn and juvenile death, and sexual maturity of captive giant anteaters from São Paulo Zoo, Brazil (FPZSP). The institution has maintained 77 giant anteaters between 1968, when the first individual was received, and June 2007. It registered the country's first captive birth and natural rearing of a giant anteater in 1986. All measures taken by the institution aim at increasing reproductive rates and offspring survival, thus making it a national reference in giant anteater breeding and maintenance and contributing to the conservation of this species.

The confusing nomenclatural history of Bradypus tridactylus and B. variegatus has led to incorrect taxonomic attributions through time and, consequently, errors in range map inferences. In this note, we reevaluate the geographical distribution of B. tridactylus and B. variegatus based on museum specimens, field observations, and literature records of sloths. Our analyses revealed considerable range differences when compared to previous distribution inferences. For instance, B. tridactylus is restricted to the Guyana shield, and in Brazil it is only found north of the Amazon River and east of Negro River. Additional analysis using an Ecological Niche Modeling technique, and considering only bioclimatic and topographic variables, predicted that potential suitable areas for B. tridactylus are mostly limited by cold temperatures. However, when comparing our model to the present time distribution of forests we observed that the suitable area for B. tridactylus may be smaller than predicted by the model.

Monthly field surveys were carried out from February to September 2004 to study behavioral and ecological aspects of Bradypus variegatus in a tropical dry forest fragment on “El Ceibal”, Santa Catalina, Bolívar, Colombia. The study included samples collected during the dry and wet seasons. Scan sampling was used to record B. variegatus activities (feeding, resting, moving, grooming, and surveillance). Plant species utilized for these activities were identified. Sloths spent most of their time resting (56%), followed by moving (23%), surveillance (10%), grooming (8%), and feeding (3%). Generally, sloths were found on trees with heights from 9 to 32 m, with canopy coverage of 9 to 364 m² and diameter at chest height from 10 to 44.2 cm. Individuals were usually found in the tree canopy. Cavanillesia platanifolia (Bombacaceae), Guazuma umbilifolia and G. tomentosa (Sterculiaceae) were used as food sources.

The ability to swim has been well documented in many species of the order Xenarthra but the literature implies that wild Tamandua anteaters avoid the water. On 26 January 2010, while driving a boat across the Panama Canal (9°10′40″N, 79°50′01″W), the authors witnessed an adult T. mexicana swimming 120 m offshore, in a straight line towards Barro Colorado Island, still 280 m away. The tamandua was swimming without any difficulty and its choice of crossing the canal at a very narrow point suggests that the animal had knowledge of the topography. It is very likely that other crossing points exist and that there is regular exchange between populations of tamandúas living on the mainland and the island, as is the case with other mammals.

The giant armadillo (Priodontes maximus) is the largest extant representative of the order Cingulata. Information on the parasites and diseases affecting this species is scarce. Four female and one male ticks were collected from two wild-caught, adult giant armadillos from the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil. All of them were identified as Amblyomma cajennense. This is the first report of A. cajennense in giant armadillos. Considering the low host specificity of this ixodid tick that may act as vector of pathogens, and the sustained encroachment of domestic animals into wildlife habitat, the risk of disease transmission from cattle to this threatened armadillo should be evaluated.

We describe interactions between three individuals of Brazilian three-banded armadillos (Tolypeutes tricinctus) that provide evidence of the reproductive behavior and mating strategies of this poorly-known species. Our observations suggest that this species is territorial and that males compete for access to reproductively active females.

The maned sloth Bradypus torquatus is one of the most threatened species in Brazil. It is endemic to the Atlantic Forest and has a restricted distribution with few known occurrence localities. Between November 2009 and January 2010, we observed maned sloths in three new localities in the mountainous area of Rio de Janeiro State: Nova Friburgo, Cachoeiras de Macacu and Teresópolis. These new records confirm the presence of maned sloths in a large Atlantic Forest remnant in Rio de Janeiro State and highlight the lack of data on the exact range of this species. Intensified fieldwork on maned sloths will help increasing our knowledge on their population status and supporting future studies on the management and conservation of this species.