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
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jul 31, 2025Ring-tailed lemur
Jan 18, 2025Dunes at White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Feb 20, 2025Ansel Adams birthday
Jul 3, 2020Dog days of summer
Dec 6, 2018The owl that loved football
Nov 15, 2018‘Ocian in view! O! The joy.’
Mar 23, 2025World Meteorological Day
Nov 23, 2018Let the holiday shopping commence
Oct 6, 2023Taughannock Falls State Park
Sep 6, 2025National Hummingbird Day
Jun 11, 2025Greater flamingos, Lüderitz, Namibia
Mar 20, 2021It s time for spring
Nov 10, 2023Badlands National Parks 45th anniversary
Oct 22, 2022Guilin and Lijiang River National Park, China
Feb 10, 2022The Old City of Bern
Mar 12, 2022The Girl Scouts celebrate 110 years
Jul 6, 2019Racers pushing past sunflowers in the 2018 Tour de France
Oct 30, 2020Who s there? The largest owl in the world
Sep 26, 2024Blue-throated toucanet, Los Quetzales National Park, Costa Rica
Nov 26, 2022World Olive Tree Day
Feb 29, 2024Leap day
Jun 19, 2021Surf s up—Down Under
Aug 27, 2018Tennis in the park
Mar 14, 2022Pi Day
Jun 17, 2022Grand Teton National Park
Apr 11, 2020Think deep thoughts
Apr 12, 2025International Day of Human Space Flight
Nov 1, 2020Native American Heritage Month
Aug 8, 2024Spotted owlet, Bangkok, Thailand
Aug 12, 2021Haven t you herd? It s World Elephant Day!