Fun Facts about Sloths
Typically, sloths feed on buds, leaves and the tender shoots of various plants. They are quite slow in their movements; hence the name "sloth," which as you may know is the Biblical deadly sin of laziness. Both varieties of sloths are fairly common in Central and South American jungles. Below you will find some more fun facts about sloths.
• The sloth is so lethargic, that its body and fur often act as the host to a diverse range of symbiotic algae, beetles, and moths. The algae often gives the sloth a green appearance and actually acts as camouflage
• Sloths spend most of their entire life clinging on to tree branches that they can still retain their grip even after death, thanks to their adaptive muscles and claws. They are often found dead and simply hanging onto branches as if they were alive.
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• Sloths are actually fairly adept swimmers due to their natural buoyancy and long arms.
The sloth's body temperature drops almost to the temperature of its surroundings at night, and much like cold-blooded reptiles, the sloth needs to take in the sun's rays to bring its temperature back to normal. Sloths descend to the ground only about once each week in order to defecate. When placed on the ground they lie on their backs or crawl with the greatest difficulty.
The sloth sleeps up to 18 hours a day, curled up with the feet drawn close together and the head placed between the forelimbs. In this position, the animal resembles a stump of a bough and is relatively well camouflaged from the assault of natural enemies such as the harpy eagle. An incrustation of a green alga, which forms in the hair of some species and makes them indistinguishable from the surrounding foliage and moss, affords additional protection. The animal is habitually silent but sometimes utters a low, plaintive call. It feeds chiefly on foliage and shoots, which are pulled within reach of the mouth with typical slow