Two-toed Sloth Photography Holidays

Photographing Two-toed Sloth Larger & primarily nocturnal compared to its three-toed cousin, the Two-toed Sloth is the less commonly encountered of Costa Rica’s two sloth species - & consequently more prized when found. It holds its position in dense canopy cover during the day, becoming active & visible after dusk. Algae growing in the grooves of its fur give it a distinctive greenish cast in certain light conditions, an adaptation that provides camouflage in the humid forest canopy but appears almost surreal to the eye of a photographer. Where NaturesLens Takes You NaturesLens photographs the Two-toed Sloth in Caribbean lowland forest & forest-edge habitats of Costa Rica, where the species is present year-round. Night excursions produce the most reliable sightings; daytime encounters usually require a guide with sharp eyes for the subtle outline of a curled animal against a vine-draped branch. Photography Technique & Gear For daytime encounters, technique is identical to the Three-toed Sloth: expose for the face & use a long focal length for canopy sightings. For night encounters, a focusing light or torch beam allows the camera’s AF system to lock onto the animal. Use the lowest acceptable ISO that still gives a workable shutter speed; the sloth moves slowly enough that 1/200 s is generally sufficient for a stationary or near-stationary subject. The photography holidays listed below operate in regions & habitats where the Two-toed Sloth is regularly encountered. As with all wildlife photography, sightings can never be guaranteed, but our itineraries are designed around seasonal behaviour, suitable habitat, & photographic opportunity, giving you the best possible chance of meaningful encounters in the field. Our small-group approach allows time in the field to adapt to conditions, behaviour, & photographic opportunities as they unfold. You can photograph the Two-toed Sloth in Costa Rica. During our photography holidays, the Two-toed Sloth is often photographed alongside Basilisk Lizard, Blue Jeans Poison Dart Frog, Chestnut-headed Oropendola, Chestnut-mandibled Toucan, Collared Aracari, & Emerald Toucanet. Seasonal presence & photographic opportunity vary by location & time of year. Photography themes commonly associated with this species include amphibian macro photography, Costa Rican photography, Costa Rican wildlife, frog photography, macro photography of flowers, insects & other miniature flora & fauna, & macro photography subjects.