Living the Sci Life

biomedicalephemera:

The Maned Sloth (Bradypus torquatus)

Maned sloths are one of the least-studied sloth species, but are known to have once inhabited a much larger range than they do now. This three-toed sloth is similar to many of its cousins.

Their low muscle mass for body size is typical of sloths, making them unable to walk or crawl, having to drag themselves along the ground by their front legs. However, like other sloths, they are fairly proficient swimmers, and tend to live solitary lives, with two or three females living within (and protected by - or at least as “protected” as a sloth can be by its own kind) one male’s range.

Abbildungen zur Naturgeschichte. Maximillian, Prince von Wied, 1822.

Who needs muscles when you’re so busy being awesome?