Buzz
Sloths often find themselves at a disadvantage in various aspects. After all, who wants to be named after one of the Seven Deadly Sins? The term 'sloth' is not just a peculiar English term; other languages also associate them with concepts like 'laziness,' 'slowness,' and 'sleep.' The scientific name for three-toed sloths, Bradypus, comes from the Greek word for 'slow feet.' Despite this, their adorable, slightly puzzled expressions that have become internet meme favorites prevent them from being seen as entirely useless.
However, sloths are far more than just lazy creatures. Here are ten intriguing facts about sloths that will challenge their stereotypically sleepy reputation in the animal world.
10. They Live in a Perilous World
You might imagine that an animal that moves no more than 40 meters (130 feet) per day leads a carefree, almost zen-like existence. Unfortunately, nature is filled with predators, and sloths, despite their slow-moving nature, are a tempting target for many. As demonstrated in the video above, even in the safety of their treetop homes, they are at risk of puma attacks. The danger escalates further when they are exposed to Harpy eagles, whose primary diet consists of sloths.
But it's not only enormous predators that hunt sloths. In an unusual incident, a small spectacled owl was discovered to have killed and consumed a sloth. This is particularly remarkable given that sloths are twice the size and four times the weight of spectacled owls. While sloths do possess sharp claws and might swipe at a predator, their low muscle mass means such gestures are little more than warnings. How is it that a creature like the sloth evolved to be so seemingly vulnerable?
9. Slothfulness as a Defense Mechanism
It turns out that nature has provided sloths with a remarkably simple yet effective strategy for avoiding predators—moving at an incredibly slow pace. While it’s likely a myth that standing perfectly still could hide you from a T. rex, the principle holds: predators have a much easier time spotting moving prey. By adopting such a leisurely pace, the sloth seamlessly blends into the canopy it inhabits.
There’s no need to flee from a predator if the predator never notices you, but sloths take this a step further.
8. Living Camouflage
An additional layer of camouflage for the sloth comes from the algae that grows in its fur. These symbiotic organisms thrive in the moist and warm environment provided by the sloth's body. While algae are typically something to avoid, for the sloth, it forms a beneficial partnership.
Sloth hair is long, coarse, and grooved in a way that fosters the growth of bacteria and algae. This algae provides the sloth with excellent camouflage, turning it green and making it harder to detect among the green leaves where it resides. One of the first gifts a mother sloth gives her baby is the algae that will help keep them hidden from predators. The relationship is so close that the most common type of algae found on sloths, Trichophilus welckeri, is found nowhere else in nature.
With a bloom of algae covering their back, finding a sloth is like searching for a needle in a haystack… when the needle is tucked inside a piece of hay.
7. The Enigmatic Bathroom Habits of the Sloth
While animal defecation might not be the most thrilling topic, it turns out scientists find it rather fascinating. At the heart of the sloth's bathroom routine lies a mystery that has intrigued many.
We've already seen how far sloths go to stay out of sight from predators. They're perfectly adapted to living and feeding high in the trees. Yet, once a week, they risk it all by descending to the ground to defecate. This dangerous ritual makes them vulnerable to any predators passing by. Why, then, would they engage in such a perilous activity when they could easily let their droppings fall from the safety of the trees?
One possible explanation that has been recently proposed involves sloths, their algae, and moths. It may not be the most glamorous of partnerships, but it works for sloths. The Cryptoses choloepi moth exclusively lives on sloths and deposits its eggs solely in sloth droppings. In a strange twist, the moth defecates on the sloth, providing nourishment for the algae living there. The algae and moths gain from this arrangement, but why does the sloth go along with such an unappealing situation? Due to their limited diet, sloths consume the algae and other organisms on their body to absorb necessary nutrients. Farmers are known for their hard work, and the sloth is no different.
6. The Death Grip
While sloths are occasionally hunted by humans, their low muscle mass means they aren’t a major part of anyone’s diet. Additionally, unless you manage to catch a sloth on the ground, it may be difficult to make it your meal.
Sloths derive very little energy from their leaf-based diet. They take a long time to digest their food and expend as little energy as possible. Staying in trees is essentially their entire existence, so it's only natural that they would be highly efficient at it. Their claws act like hooks on the branches, allowing them to hold on with little effort.
Why is this bad news for human hunters? Let’s say you grab your gun, spot your sloth, take aim, and fire (how terrible). You approach to collect your dinner, only to find it’s not lying on the ground waiting for you. The sloth remains suspended above, thanks to its cleverly designed claws that keep it hanging out of reach.
5. Sloth Necks Are Strange
A quirky fact about mammals is that nearly all of them have the same number of vertebrae in their necks. Whether it’s short-necked gibbons or long-necked giraffes, most mammals have seven cervical vertebrae. However, sloths don’t follow this norm. In fact, they may have more or fewer vertebrae. Two-toed sloths can have between five and seven, while three-toed sloths might have eight or nine, depending on the species.
Usually, any change in the genes controlling vertebrae would be a serious problem for most animals. However, it seems that the slow lifestyle of sloths has allowed for some flexibility in how their spines are structured. Their nutrient-poor diet requires a large digestive system, which can make up to half of their body weight. It’s possible that adjusting the positioning of their ribs in relation to their neck helps accommodate more gut space. But this remains a theory, and the mystery of sloth necks is still unsolved.
4. They Swim
Although sloths spend most of their time in trees, they are surprisingly skilled swimmers. This is partly due to their large stomachs. Digestion can cause some gaseous effects for anyone, but it’s even more pronounced for vegetarians. The sloth’s sizable and bloated stomach acts as a natural buoyancy aid. They can swim faster in water than they can move on land, using a reasonable breaststroke technique.
You might wonder why a sloth would ever need to swim. While rainforests are typically wet, the tops of the trees remain fairly dry. Sloths need to travel from tree to tree in search of food and mates. Without the ability to swim, they would struggle to cross any streams.
Like nearly everything else a sloth does, their swimming is somewhat awkward. Strong currents can easily submerge them. Fortunately, their relaxed metabolism works in their favor. Some past experiments (which would not be considered ethical today) have demonstrated that sloths can go for up to 40 minutes without breathing. Their laid-back lifestyle means they require very little oxygen.
3. Sloth Evolution
Currently, there are only two genera of sloths: the two-toed and three-toed, with six species between them. While the number of toes is the main distinguishing feature, there may not seem to be much else that sets them apart. Both are tree-dwelling, slow-moving creatures that mainly feed on leaves. However, the fossil record reveals a variety of extinct sloth species that bear little resemblance to the sloths we see today.
Thalassocnus inhabited the coastal areas of Peru between four and eight million years ago. While its modern relatives can swim, this particular sloth was fully adapted to life in the sea.
Megatherium were enormous sloths that existed until approximately 8,000 years ago. They were not just larger than modern sloths; they were as large as elephants. Despite their immense size, it was once believed that they, like today’s sloths, lived in trees. If that were true, ancient humans would have likely considered it a blessing if these giant sloths ever descended from the trees to relieve themselves.
Megalocnus, a Cuban ground sloth, only went extinct around 2200 BC. If it feels like we just missed out on these fascinating creatures, it’s important to look beyond the charming faces of today’s sloths and recognize just how extraordinary they truly are.
2. They Are Ambling Drug Laboratories
A major challenge in drug development is the creation of new bioactive compounds to test. One of the most straightforward ways to discover new medicines is to tap into the vast array of natural substances already present in the world. With an impending antibiotic crisis, this has become more urgent than ever. It turns out that sloths, along with the ecology of microorganisms that reside in their fur, may hold the key.
All organisms compete for survival. Living on a sloth’s back doesn’t guarantee a free ride. The microorganisms on a sloth’s fur battle for space and resources, releasing compounds to eliminate their competitors. One study revealed fungi that produce potent new compounds with remarkable antiparasitic, antimalarial, anti-cancer, and antibacterial properties.
1. Young Sloths Are Not Stupid
A common but incorrect fact circulating the Internet is hardly a shock to anyone. What is rare, however, is being able to trace its origins. The fact in question is as follows:
“My absolute favourite piece of information is the fact that young sloths are so inept that they frequently grab their own arms and legs instead of tree limbs, and fall out of trees.”—Douglas Adams, The Salmon of Doubt
As intriguing as that sounds, it’s simply not accurate. There’s no scientific evidence to support this claim, despite extensive research into the upbringing of orphaned sloths. No record of this “fact” exists on the internet prior to the release of The Salmon of Doubt. Baby sloths initially cling to their mothers in trees, and a young sloth falling from one would have a very slim chance of survival. Evolution is a strict teacher.
