Fungi and algae live in the sloth fur, making them look green. The fungi can protect them from parasites, cancer, and bacteria. Sloth fur provides an ecosystem where one sloth can harbor 850 moths and beetles. They have poor vision , but a great sense of smell. They have a great spatial memory. They evolved so they don't get hurt when they fall from trees. They are great swimmers. Their digestion is very slow; it takes a month to digest a leaf. They can only see in dim light. They can't see in bright light. They give birth in the trees. They can sleep hanging in trees. They need warm temperatures, as they can't raise their body temperature. If they get too cold, their digestive stomach microbes die and the sloths die.

Artist:  Patricia Yagodinski

Design # 1719 1719t 1719p 1719w