Sloths are world record holders, and more than once. The cute animals know how to amaze with all kinds of peculiarities. We have compiled 9 particularly remarkable facts about sloths for you and were hardly able to stop being amazed while researching them ourselves. Fortunately, both existing genera occur in the areas we protect. Both Costa Rica and Peru are fortunate to be home to the two-fingered sloth and the three-fingered sloth. Now you can find out what else these cute little animals are capable of apart from looking “cute”.
1. sloths are three times stronger than humans
In relation to their body weight, sloths are the undisputed pull-up world champions. No other animal can pull up its own body weight with just one arm from birth. And not only that, it only needs 30% of the muscle mass of mammals of the same size. This is made possible by their unique muscle structure.
2. sloths lose a third of their body weight when they “For small sloths must”
During their weekly visit to the toilet, the cute little animals relieve themselves of up to 30% of their body weight. And anyone expecting it to rain from the crowns of the jungle giants is mistaken. They actually leave the shelter of the tree and dig a small pit at the foot of it.
1. sloths are three times stronger than humans
In relation to their body weight, sloths are the undisputed pull-up world champions. No other animal can pull up its own body weight with just one arm from birth. And not only that, it only needs 30% of the muscle mass of mammals of the same size. This is made possible by their unique muscle structure.
2. sloths lose a third of their body weight when they “For small sloths must”
During their weekly visit to the toilet, the cute little animals relieve themselves of up to 30% of their body weight. And anyone expecting it to rain from the crowns of the jungle giants is mistaken. They actually leave the shelter of the tree and dig a small pit at the foot of it.
3. sloths are blind
At least almost. Sloths suffer from rod monochromacy, which means that they completely lack the cone cells in their eyes. As a result, all sloths are colorblind, have poor vision in low light and are completely blind in bright daylight. It is assumed that this restriction could also play a role in their slow locomotion. But don’t worry, they have a phenomenal sense of smell and an excellent spatial memory.
4. faster in the water than on land
Surprisingly, the slow tree dwellers are good swimmers. So good that they move three times faster in the water than on the ground.
5. 30 days to digest
Another record held by sloths: The lowest metabolic rate of all mammals. This means that their four-chambered stomach is always full, their stomach contents make up 30% of their body weight and it actually takes a month to digest one leaf.
4. faster in the water than on land
Surprisingly, the slow tree dwellers are good swimmers. So good that they move three times faster in the water than on the ground.
5. 30 days to digest
Another record held by sloths: The lowest metabolic rate of all mammals. This means that their four-chambered stomach is always full, their stomach contents make up 30% of their body weight and it actually takes a month to digest one leaf.
6. sloths survive a fall from a height of 30 meters unscathed
Sloths regularly fall out of the trees. Whether it’s a fight with conspecifics over a chosen one or simply because they have made a mistake while climbing. And because this happens every week or so throughout their lives, Mother Nature has built them to withstand a fall from 30 meters without damage.
7. your body temperature fluctuates by up to 10 degrees
This is yet another record in the mammalian kingdom. Depending on the air temperature, their body temperature fluctuates between 24 degrees at night and 33 degrees during the day.
8. insect hotel sloth
Their often camouflage appearance is no coincidence. Cracks in their hair allow many different types of algae and fungi to grow, making them appear green. And as if that wasn’t crazy enough, sloths are more species-rich than many a German gravel garden. They are home to an entire ecosystem of invertebrates – some of which are found nowhere else on earth (such as the “sloth moth”). One animal can harbor up to 950 moths and beetles in its fur at the same time.
9. no one knows how long they will live
8. insect hotel sloth
Their often camouflage appearance is no coincidence. Cracks in their hair allow many different types of algae and fungi to grow, making them appear green. And as if that wasn’t crazy enough, sloths are more species-rich than many a German gravel garden. They are home to an entire ecosystem of invertebrates – some of which are found nowhere else on earth (such as the “sloth moth”). One animal can harbor up to 950 moths and beetles in its fur at the same time.
9. no one knows how long they will live
Because sloths are so difficult to study in the wild, no one has ever tracked an individual from birth to death and it is virtually impossible to accurately determine the age of an adult sloth. The oldest known sloth in the world has turned 50 years old and lived in a German zoo of all places. It is assumed that wild sloths live longer, but it still remains their secret.
And if you also want sloths to continue to grow old in comfort, help us to fulfill our motto.
“Preserve existing forests, create new forests!”