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Brown throated three toed sloth

Bradypus variegatus

Photo by KarenSaxton
Published on Project Noah
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10.3961, -83.4857

Field Notes

Description:

slow moving mammal that often has algae growing in its fur(and moths, beetles and other insects). Coming down to ground once a week to defecate, they are often viewed despite their slow movement

Habitat:

in trees next to a river

Notes:

This was our third sloth spotting in two days. They seem to be almost as curious about us as we are about them as they always turned to look at us. Something which seems counter productive to their survival
http://itotd.com/articles/450/the-hidden-lives-of-sloths/

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (6)
KarenSaxton
Thanks for the info. I added the link. And yes, at least Sloths didn't "run away" although, someone of them did place themselves in a less viewable position from our boat or vehicle. Mostly, I think they identified us as too clumsy to climb trees
KarenL
Me too argybee! Not too many here in Tennessee though - unless I just can't spot them because of their mossy camo! :) Karen, Daniele Pralong provided a link to a site with some really interesting info on sloths including the relationship between them, the moss & a moth! http://itotd.com/articles/450/the-hidden-lives-of-sloths/
Mark Ridgway
Good spot. So many things I try to snap run away before I press the button. Maybe I should try these.
KarenSaxton
I did. Part of me wonders what the algae gets out of the deal!Just kidding - any place to live is a place to live, right?
KarenL
Lovely spot Karen! Please can you add this the the Symbiotic Relationship mission? (Algae grows on sloth providing camouflage)

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Symbiotic Relationships
Photographed
PublishedJanuary 5, 2012

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