I have a bit of difficulty conjuring thoughts about sloths without thinking about my mom. I recognize that assertion is a bit odd, so allow me to provide you with some context; my mom adores sloths, and has for as long as I can remember. I like them quite a bit myself, but my mom’s infatuation with them certainly tops my own.
I’ve always found sloths to be interesting animals, and I figured it wouldn’t hurt to know a little more about them in a general sense. The following information comes from slothconservation.org, and I implore you to give it a look.
“1. There used to be sloths the size of elephants!
“All seven species of tree-climbing sloths that we see today evolved from giant sloths. There were thought to be over 80 different types, with the largest (Megatherium americanum) reaching over 19 feet/ six meters in height! Several species of aquatic sloths also existed, the most important ones belonging to the genus Talasocnuss, which fed on sea grass and seaweed in shallow water. Even sloths like the Mylodon had ‘armored skin,’ similar to that of modern armadillos. These gentle giant sloths roamed the Americas, and their extinction is supported by evidence of human hunting.
“2. Sloths are three times stronger than us!
“Sloths are the undisputed pull-up world champions. From the moment they are born, sloths can lift their entire body weight upwards with just one arm. Not only that, but sloths have 30% less muscle mass than similarly sized mammals and are over three times stronger than the average human! They have a highly specialised muscle arrangement that can produce enough strength to withstand the force of a jaguar trying to rip them from the tree. Specialised tendons in the sloth’s hands and feet lock into place, allowing them to hang upside down for long periods of time without wasting any energy. This unique locking mechanism is also how sloths are able to sleep while hanging from a tree branch. They have even been known to remain suspended upside down after death!
“3. They poop once a week, and a third of their body weight in one go
“Sloths are famous for their characteristic bathroom habits. They will only relieve themselves once a week and can lose up to a third of their body weight in one sitting! Furthermore, they will only do it on the ground after wiggling around the base of a tree to dig a little hole. This weird weekly routine remains one of the biggest mysteries surrounding sloth behaviour. While there are many different theories, the likely explanation is that it’s all about communication and reproduction,” the web page explains.
Check back tomorrow for more.
Photo by David Gomez on Unsplash
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