Sloth
Sloth
| Sloths | |
|---|---|
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| Brown-throated three-toed sloth (Bradypus variegatus). | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| Superorder: | |
| Order: | |
| Suborder: | Folivora
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Sloths are Xenarthran mammals from Central and South America. They are part of the order Pilosa. There are two families of sloths: two-toed sloth and three-toed sloth. Most scientists call these two families the Folivora, while some call them the Phyllophaga.[1] They live in trees, but in the past there were giant ground sloths.
The biogeographic origins of the Pilosa is still unclear, but they can be traced back in South America as far as the early Tertiary, about 60 million years ago. The presence of these animals in Central America is explained by the Great American Interchange.[2]
Physical description
Sloths are active at night, and sleep curled up with their head placed between the arms and the feet drawn close together, or hanging upside down with the help of their hook- like claws.[3] This disguises them as part of a tree so that its enemies like the jaguar do not see them. Sloths rarely climb down from the trees, and when they are on the ground, they can only crawl awkwardly.[3] However, when there is a forest flood, they are very good swimmers.[3]
Sloths can also slow their heart rate and hold their breath for long periods. They are able to stay underwater for up to 40 minutes, which is longer than many marine mammals such as dolphins.[4][5][6]
Sloths can live for up to 30 years. They mostly just eat leaves and flowers, which take a very long time to digest. Sloths move slowly; their name comes from the word "slow".[7][8]
Related pages
References
- ↑ These names mean 'leaf-eater' in Latin and Ancient Greek respectively.
- ↑ Gardner, Alfred 2005. Sloths. In Wilson, Don E. and Reeder, DeeAnn M. eds Mammal species of the World. 3rd ed, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2 vols. 100-103. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0; OCLC 62265494
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Buskey, Theresa K. LIFEPAC History and Geography. Alpha Omega Publications
- ↑ BBC Earth – "Sloths: The surprising swimmers"
- ↑ National Geographic – "Sloths"
- ↑ Smithsonian Magazine – "Sloths Are Surprisingly Good Swimmers"
- ↑ Discover Wildlife – "Facts about sloths"
- ↑ Science Focus – "Sloths"[permanent dead link]
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