Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica Mar 30, 2024

Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica

Costa Rica"s forests are habitats for two sloth species: Hoffmann"s two-toed sloth and the star of today"s homepage, the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Despite being larger than many other tree-dwelling mammals, three-toed sloths have adapted by reducing their muscle mass and size to thrive on treetops. Their large stomachs have four chambers, which, when full, account for about 30% of their body weight. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats, which helps to camouflage them within the rainforest canopy. In 2021, these slow-moving creatures were declared national symbols in Costa Rica. Then-president Carlos Alvarado signed the initiative into law to emphasize the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.

© Juan Carlos Vindas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Mar 30, 2018The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
Mar 30, 2019Here’s why landmarks are going dark
Mar 30, 2020Spread some love with Bing
Mar 30, 2021Best fronds forever
Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows
Mar 30, 2023Bright and colorful peacock feathers

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 15, 2019Pasadena Chalk Festival supports local arts education
Apr 25, 2024World Penguin Day
Feb 12, 2019To Roswell, and beyond!
Jul 6, 2022Kissing Day
Jun 17, 2018Papa was a flightless bird
Apr 12, 2023Earth seen from the International Space Station
Apr 23, 2020Duck, duck. duck, duck, duck...
Nov 16, 2018Ancient art in the Amazon
Dec 7, 2018Honoring our fallen heroes
Jul 26, 2019The party’s just starting
Jul 23, 2022National Moth Week
Feb 19, 2019A dreamy start to the Year of the Pig
Jul 20, 2018Composite of photographs from the Apollo 15 mission
May 27, 2018Travel Sunday: San Francisco
Nov 25, 2023Toledo, Spain
Oct 31, 2023Halloween
Apr 10, 2018It’s Siblings Day!
Apr 27, 2019Aloe in bloom
Oct 1, 2021What s better than a smile?
Jan 1, 2020Napping away New Year s Day
Dec 27, 2021Snow buntings take flight
Apr 24, 2024White trilliums blooming in Ontario, Canada
Sep 12, 2023North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
Feb 22, 2023Black History Month
Jul 16, 2021Whatever floats your boat
Sep 4, 2021Humming along
Feb 3, 2023Quebec City for Winter Carnival
Oct 9, 2018A history of Vinland
Jul 1, 2019It’s Canada’s national day
Mar 24, 2018Crimson-rumped toucanet in the Refugio Paz de Las Aves, Ecuador