312 THE GEOGRAPHY OF MAMMALS 



Section II. — Distribution of the New World 

 Edentates 



The Edentates of the New World are at present repre- 

 sented by three families, the Sloths {Bradypodidze), the 

 Ant-eaters (Myrmecophagidw), and the Armadilloes (Dasy- 

 podidie), all well distinguished from each other, although 

 essentially modified on the same plan of structure, and 

 more or less united together by other Edentates now 

 extinct. All three families belong entirely to the Neo- 

 tropical Region, although one of the Armadilloes appears 

 to have intruded itself farther north than the generally 

 recognized northern boundary of that Region. 



Of the Sloths, two genera are well established — the 

 Three-toed Sloths (Bradypus), with about five species, and 

 the Two-toed Sloths (Cholopus), with two species. The 

 Sloths are entirely arboreal in their habits, and are met 

 with only in the dense forests of Central and Southern 

 America, from Nicaragua down to Bolivia and Southern 

 Brazil. 



The Ant-eaters, of which three well-marked forms are 

 known, belonging to so many genera, each with one species, 

 have a somewhat wider distribution, being not absolutely 

 confined to the tropical forests. The Great Ant-eater 

 {Myrmecophaga jubata), extends as far north as Guate- 

 mala, and from Costa Rica southwards is found in suitable 

 localities all through Venezuela, Guiana, and Brazil to 

 Paraguay. 



The Tamandua Ant-eater (Tamandua tetradactyla), 

 which varies much in colour and markings, extends even 

 farther north than its larger brother, as specimens have 



