What is an sloth?

Sloths are arboreal mammals noted for slowness of movement and for spending most of their lives hanging upside down in the trees of the tropical rain forests of South America and Central America.

When did the maned three toed sloth diverge from the pygmy sloth?

Genetic evidence indicates the two species diverged around 6 million years ago. The maned three-toed sloth, now found only in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. The critically endangered pygmy three-toed sloth which is endemic to the small island of Isla Escudo de Veraguas off the coast of Panama.

Where does the pale-throated three-toed sloth live?

The pale-throated three-toed sloth, which inhabits tropical rainforests in northern South America. It is similar in appearance to, and often confused with, the brown-throated three-toed sloth, which has a much wider distribution.

What happened to the marine sloths of South America?

The marine sloths of South America’s Pacific coast became extinct at the end of the Pliocene following the closing of the Central American Seaway; this caused a cooling trend in the coastal waters which killed off much of the area’s seagrass (and which would have also made thermoregulation difficult for the sloths, with their slow metabolism).

What does a mega sloth look like?

Standing much taller than the average human, their body is covered with filthy and shaggy fur with clusters of mushrooms growing in the fur on their back, similar to fungus grew in the fur of pre-War sloths. They have heavily calloused patches of skin and sharp teeth. Mega sloths are much larger than pre-War variants.

How far do Sloths move in a day?

They move through the canopy at a rate of about 40 yards per day, munching on leaves, twigs and buds. Sloths have an exceptionally low metabolic rate and spend 15 to 20 hours per day sleeping.

What is the body temperature of a sloth?

Sloths are heterothermic, meaning their body temperature may vary according to the environment, normally ranging from 25 to 35 °C (77 to 95 °F), but able to drop to as low as 20 °C (68 °F), inducing torpor. The outer hairs of sloth fur grow in a direction opposite from that of other mammals.