Awesome Animal Alert: Sloth

My friend Adam G. had an excellent idea for blogging. He suggested that I write about my favorite animals and the reasons why I love them so much. So today will be the first in a series of posts about my favorite animals.


Today I bring you the Sloth 

oh hai

The top 10 reasons why the sloth is one of my favorite animals:


10) Sloths are related to the anteater and the armadillo, which are also fascinating animals (order Xenartha). 

Anteater

Armadillo

9) The sloth's ancient relative, the Giant Ground Sloth, was as big as an elephant.

not as cute

8) Sloths are the world's slowest mammal. They move so slowly that algae grows on their fur, giving them a greenish hue that helps them blend in with trees.

look how green!

7) Sloths store extra fat in the pads of their feet. I don't know why but I find this endearing.


6) Three-toed sloths have an extra neck vertebrae, enabling them to move their heads approximately 270 degrees. They are also naturally smiley. 

smiley!

5) Sloths conserve energy by maintaining a lower body temperature  than other mammals (93 degrees versus 100-103 degrees, all are averages). In addition, their body temperature varies with the ambient temperature- like cold-blooded animals!


4) Sloths have giant claws (I love claws), which help them hang upside-down in trees. Sometimes they remain hanging from a tree even after death.

Three-toed claws

Three-toed claws

Two-toed claws

Two-toed claws

3) Sloths mate and give birth while hanging in trees. I feel no need to elaborate on this one. 


2) The sloth's metabolism is so slow that they only need to relieve themselves once a week. Many sloths will stay in the same tree for the majority of their lives, and they will return to the same spot under that tree each week to urinate and defecate. Then they BURY it. 

weekly trip to the restroom

And now (drum roll...) the #1 reason why sloths are one of my favorite animals:


1) They cannot walk on land (they must drag themselves along on their bellies) but they are excellent swimmers. Please watch the video below for the 28 most mind-blowing seconds of your day.


Amazing video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kMe2UvPS4vI


I hope I have increased your appreciation of sloths. If you don't think they are awesome by now, what is wrong with you?!


Thanks for reading!


PS: If you skipped the video under reason #1 please go back and watch it. I promise it will be 28 seconds well spent. 

like a boss