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.
Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Mekong River Delta, Long An, Vietnam
-
A night of art and culture
-
World Penguin Day
-
It’s not a pinecone, it’s a pangolin
-
National Hug Day
-
Go Fly a Kite Day
-
Spring comes to Glacier National Park
-
Christmas comes to New York City
-
Sitting down and taking a stand
-
Arrr! Can you talk like a pirate?
-
Here s looking Atchafalaya
-
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
-
A red fox on the Swiss side of the Jura Mountain range
-
The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
-
Huntington Beach Pier, California, at sunset
-
Aerial view of a heart-shaped field in Trittau, Germany
-
National Garden Week begins today
-
Ambassadors of the airwaves
-
Daylight saving time
-
Guiding ships to safety
-
National Trails Day
-
Russell lupines, Lake Tekapo, New Zealand
-
World Laughter Day
-
Memorial Day
-
International Day of Friendship
-
Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia
-
Hay, what s up?
-
Gemsbok in Namibian sand dunes
-
Love blossoms
-
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

