---
title: "How long does a three-toed sloth last?"
description: "A three-toed sloth lasts 20–40 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/three-toed-sloth/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a three-toed sloth last?

**Typical lifespan: 20–40 yr**

One of the slowest mammals, moving about 0.24 km/h and descending from its tree only to defecate.

## How that compares

*Three-toed sloth against things of a similar time.*

- Three-toed sloth: 20–40 yr
- Komodo dragon: 25–35 yr
- Toilet: 20–50 yr
- Solar panel: 25–40 yr
- Great hammerhead: 20–44 yr
- Front door: 20–60 yr
- Shortfin mako shark: 28–32 yr
- Harpy eagle: 25–35 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0333 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1 of them |

> Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

## More about a three-toed sloth

- [How much does a three-toed sloth weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/three-toed-sloth/) — 2.2–6.3 kg
- [Three-toed sloth vs Domestic cat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/domestic-cat-vs-three-toed-sloth/) — Side by side
- [Three-toed sloth vs Koala](https://atoneplace.net/vs/koala-vs-three-toed-sloth/) — Side by side
- [Three-toed sloth vs Bald eagle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-three-toed-sloth/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a three-toed sloth last?

A three-toed sloth lasts 20–40 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a three-toed sloth weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/three-toed-sloth/)
- [How long does a lion last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/)
- [How long does a tiger last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/tiger/)
- [How long does a domestic cat last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/domestic-cat/)
- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/)
- [How long does a blue whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/blue-whale/)
- [How long does a cheetah last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/cheetah/)
- [How long does a polar bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/polar-bear/)
- [How long does a giraffe last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/giraffe/)
- [How long does a gorilla last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/gorilla/)
- [How long does a grizzly bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/grizzly-bear/)
- [Three-toed sloth vs Domestic cat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/domestic-cat-vs-three-toed-sloth/)
- [Three-toed sloth vs Koala](https://atoneplace.net/vs/koala-vs-three-toed-sloth/)
- [Three-toed sloth vs Bald eagle](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bald-eagle-vs-three-toed-sloth/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)