Celebrating Slow, Surprisingly Stealthy, Sloths

Rachel_Scope

It's International Sloth Day, yay!

They're the world's slowest-moving mammal with a top speed of 1 metre in 1.5 seconds, and live in the rainforests in Central and South America. They may seem like easy prey, especially as they move so slowly, but they are masters of disguise. They avoid jaguars, ocelots, and harpy eagles from taking a bite by moving silently through the jungle canopy. Luckily for sloths, their predators look for movement!

Look how cute this little guy is 😍

Sloth Facts

1. You can thank sloths for your avocado on toast! The extinct giant ground sloth was able to digest avocado seeds whole and then spread them far and wide.
2. Sloths only 'relieve' themselves once a week, and it can be up to a third of their body weight.
3. Ever wondered if a sloth could survive a fall from the top of 12 double-decker buses? Well wonder no more, they can! They're anatomically designed to fall from trees and when 2 males get in a fight over a lady friend, the aim is to knock the other out of the tree. Gladiators anyone?

Here's a wonderful video of David Attenborough saying 'boo' to a sloth.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ndMKTnSRsKM&ab_channel=BBCEarth

You can learn more about sloths at the Sloth Conservation Foundation here.

Have any of you seen a sloth in real life? Do you pronounce it 'slow-th' like David Attenborough, or simply 'sloth'? I'm in the sloth group!

Nightcity

If I painted one would it be named Vincent van sloth?

Bluebell21

I have never seen one in real life just on the tv and in books. Did you know sloths hang upside down from branches with their claws. @Rachel_Scope

WhatThe

Myrtle, my sloth, sleeps in my bed. Funny face and long furry body can be filled with hot water but I just smile at the funny face each morning 😊

Rachel_Scope

Haha nice one @Nightcity!

Yes I did @Bluebell21. I didn't know they could survive a fall from such a great height, absolutely amazing. Wonder how much it hurts though 🤔

I just got a Very Hungry Caterpillar baby book @vikki66, I'll have to look out for the sloth book 😊

That sounds adorable @WhatThe. I only have plain and boring hot water bottles, maybe it's time for a change?