A Sloths Lifestyle
Sloths have a gestation of 10-12 months. They typically have one baby at a time, and the baby will cling to its mother for about 6 months, but stays near its mother for about 1 year. Sloths live for about 20 years, but in captivity they can live into their thirties. Sloths give birth to just one baby at a time, after a gestational period of between six months and eleven months, depending on the species. The babies stay with their mother for up to four years and ride around clinging to their mother's belly for weeks after birth. Sloths are split into 2 types, the two-toed and the three-toed sloth. The lifestyle of the Sloth has so many lessons for human survival in the 21st century. If we continue to promote the dominant paradigm of infinite growth with our 'faster, bigger, stronger' behavior; the economic system pushing mass-production, mass-consumption and a scientific, reductionist view of nature it is clear that we will.
Sloths live only in the warm, tropical regions of Central and South America: in Brazil, Honduras, Paraguay, Uruguay, Panama, in northern Argentina. As habitats, they always choose dense forests where they feel comfortable among tree crowns. Tree sloths are among the most emblematic tree-dwelling mammals. However, they are best known for their pokey demeanor rather than the fact that they spend the majority of their lives in trees munching leaves.
Native to Central and South America, sloths eat, sleep, mate, give birth and raise their young while hanging upside-down in trees. The slowest mammals in existence, they can walk on the ground but only with extremely awkward and unwieldy movements. They’re much better swimmers. Some of their adaptations differ slightly, but both sloth families -- two-toed and three-toed -- are uniquely suited to their slow-paced, arboreal lives.
Camouflage
Three-toed sloths have tan coats, while two-toed sloths usually have gray-brown fur. While these tones match tree trunks and branches, the animals have another layer of camouflage: Green algae grow from their hair, enabling them to better blend into the leaves and vines of the treetop canopy. Their extremely slow movements might also help conceal them from predators that rely on vision to hunt.
Defense
With their slow speed, sloths might seem like easy prey for anacondas, boas, wild cats, eagles and hawks. However, they use their long, sharp claws -- normally used to hold onto branches -- and very sharp teeth to fiercely defend themselves. When they’re in the trees, special adaptations help them spot potential threats. Two-toed sloths can tilt their heads 45 degrees backward to watch for predators. Three-toed sloths have nine cervical vertebrae -- four more than their relatives -- that enable them to rotate their heads 270 degrees to scan for threats.
Weather Adaptations
Sloths’ thick, dense coats help keep them dry during the rainy season. An undercoat guards their skin, while the longer, outer hairs hang down at an angle, providing a natural path for water to flow off the animal. Two-toed sloths can vary their body temperature from 75 to 91 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing them to adapt to various weather conditions. Three-toed sloths raise their body temperature by basking.
Metabolism
Both two- and three-toed sloths have extremely slow metabolism, enabling them to remain in the same tree for several days before descending to seek more food. They sleep 15 to 20 hours daily and spend the rest of their time foraging for leaves or traveling between trees. They also come down to defecate but only need to do that once every eight days, allowing them to save valuable energy and time.
References (5)
Photo Credits
- Tom Brakefield/Stockbyte/Getty Images
The Sloth Life Book
See More Animals
By Sara Butler
Image Source: National Graphic
Sloths are everywhere. These lovable creatures with a permanent smile and a laid back attitude are a hot ticket these days. My tweens are obsessed with sloths. Maybe it’s an excuse not to clean their rooms, but it probably has more to do with how cute sloths are.
This got me thinking: What can you learn from an animal that only climbs down from a tree once a week to go to the bathroom? An animal that moves so slowly, it grows actual moss (OK, algae) on its fur? Turns out, there are quite a few things you can learn about health and wellness from the sloth. So channel your inner sloth and relax as you learn some healthy lessons from this odd creature.
Lesson No. 1: Always Have a Snack on Hand
The algae that grows in the fur of a sloth? It does more than just add some green highlights. Studies have found that the algae actually gets eaten by the sloth. That takes snacking on the go (or, in a sloth’s case, the no-go) to a new level. But when you move so slowly, it can be hard to get all the nutrients your body needs.
Humans seem to have the opposite problem. Many of us are on the go so much that we often end up reaching for convenience foods instead of foods that supply the nutrients we need for good health. You can channel your inner sloth by taking healthy snacks with you wherever you go. Whether it’s a road trip or just a day at work, taking along some whole-grain crackers and nut butter or hummus isn’t too much to ask. And probably tastes a lot better than algae.
Lesson No. 2: Slow Your Roll
When was the last time you stopped to smell the roses? People are so busy that many rush through daily life without stopping to take it in. Mindfulness has become a bit of a trend these days, but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth giving a try. In fact, it’s something you should strive to incorporate into your life.
Sloths have no issues with living life in the slow lane -- they’re not all Flash from Zootopia, after all. Did you know they rarely move more than 320 feet in a single day? You don’t need to go that slow, and your chiropractor wants you to move your body every day for good health, but it’s a nice reminder that if you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, some really great moments are going to pass you by. Don’t live your life on autopilot.
Lesson No. 3: Always Strive to Get Enough Sleep
You may think that a sloth spends most of its day asleep, but the truth is they only sleep about nine hours per day. But they make sure to get that nine hours no matter where they are or what predators are lurking about. That’s a great life lesson for everyone because every person needs proper rest on the regular to be at their very best.
A Sloths Lifestyle Clothing
If you’re terrible at putting yourself to bed or are a night owl that only manages about six hours of sleep per night, then you need to make some changes. Create a nighttime routine, turn all screens off at least an hour before bed, and try not to eat a big meal before going to sleep. If you are still having trouble, then just remember the humble sloth who, even when faced with the stress of predators that want them as a midnight snack, manage to get a full night’s rest.
Sloths are more than just cute animals that hang around in a tree all day, they’re also healthy living gurus -- if you can slow down enough to notice.
A Sloths Lifestyle Facts
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