Heene, H. 1987 15 December (continued) a forelink and they began grappling - soon within seconds a writhing mass of sloth arms and legs, all accompanied almost from the instant of first contact by series of sharp, short, high-pitched cries, coming from one or both of the sloths. Within 15 seconds, the first was hanging by hindlimbs and the second was pulling or falling free from the link. They were suspended as such for a few seconds before the second broke free with the first still swinging at it w/ forepaws. The second descended the tree continuously at approx 3x "normal" speed and disappeared in vegetation from which the Cecropia emerges over the river. When the second broke free, the first hesitated a few seconds, then descended the link rapidly (this as the second was still in view) to the crotch, then veered out a link over the river and began to feed. When I crossed the bridge for lunch there were two sloths in the tree. I had the strong impression the "intruder" saw the "resident" before I first spotted it going up the trunk. The speed of movement was especially impressive, and no more than 2 minutes were passed between when I first saw the intruder and its exit; and the encounter ended at 09:41 hrs. 16 December At 0830h I located a approx 1.6m? Bothrops asper