166 A HAND-BOOK OF THE MANAGEMENT OF ANIMALS 



(224) THE TWO-TOED SLOTH. 



(CHOLCEPUS DIDACTYLUS— (Linn.) ) 



Description. — It has a short, round head, with very small external 

 ears ; fore limbs longer than the hind ; tail rudimentary ; body clothed 

 with long, coarse hair. 



In this species the fore limbs are furnished with two toes ; in the 

 hind limbs three middle toes are developed. 



Bab.— Forests of Brazil. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 From November 1885 to November 1889. 

 Teeatment in health. 



Housing. — It should have a lofty and spacious cage, with a number 

 of dry branches stuck inside, so that it can pass from one to the other 

 without descending to the ground. To economise space, the cage may 

 be divided into two stories, the lower one adapted to a terrestrial 

 animal ; or other devices may be adopted. On the whole, its arboreal 

 habits and aversion to descend to the ground should, as much as 

 possible, be recognized. 



Food. — Feeds on leaves and fruits; the feeding and drinking 

 vessels should not be placed on the ground. 



Treatment in sickness. 



The specimens shown here died from inflammation of the bladder. 



Observations on its habits. 



Always clings with hook-like claws to the branches or bars of 

 cages, with the back downward. 



(225) THE GREAT ANT-EATER. 

 (MYEMECOPHAGA JUB AT 'A- Linn.) 



Description. — Head elongate, produced into a long snout covered 

 with skin ; opening of the mouth very small ; it has an enormous bushy 

 tail ; the prevailing colour of the body grey, with a broad black band. 



Hab. — South and Central America. 



Length of life in captivity. 

 About eighteen months. 



Treatment in health. 



Housing. — It should be remembered that the animal walks on its 

 knuckles, so that a hard stone floor will hurt it, and as it is not addicted 

 to burrowing, a cage with a mud floor should be preferred, or a thick 



