Panamanian Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus)

The Panamanian three - toed sloth or commonly Brown throated three - toed sloth is best characterized by its brown color on the throat and head. Its green outer appearance is caused by algae that inhabit their outer fur. It is typically endothermic having the ability to generate heat in maintaining its own body temperature. However, Brown throated sloths have difficulty in maintaining their body temperature in cooler environments. 

Physical Characteristics and Behavior

Bradypus variegatus have a prominent dark brown forehead and a suborbital stripe around the eye area. They have stomachs that are divided into several compartments just like any other ungulates, and inside it are microfauna that are responsible for digesting cellulose in their diet comprising of plants. They can rotate their necks up to 270 degrees and relatively small heart. 

Photo credits to: http://www.flickr.com/photos/artour_a/ 

Unlike other canopy species, this sloth specie is considered to have strange bathroom habits. Instead of just dropping off their waste, they occasionally descend from treetops every eight days to defecate. Upon reaching the ground, they will dig a hole by use of their tail then put the urine and droppings in it; after that, they cover it. Researchers are long been studying about this behavior of three-toed sloths (which puts danger on them) but discovered nothing. Brown throated three-toed sloths sleep approximately 16 hours per day. Although sloths have a reputation of being lazy and static, they can move quickly when they need to. 

Dwelling places 

Brown throated sloths live in tree canopies all of their lives, but can also be found on the ground in rare occasions. They mostly prefer trees having crowns fully exposed to sunlight whatever tree species it may be. This is probably due to their need to maintain bodily temperature. They are native to South and Central America. 

Body Parts Adaptations

Compared to other mammals, the fur of brown throated sloths hangs backwards starting from their belly which enables raindrops to easily run off their fur keeping them dry. This adaptation helps them maintain body temperature even when raining while hanging on trees. Another thing is that, their hands and feet are adapted to being hook-like that helps the climb and cling to trees at ease.  

One interesting thing to know about brown throated three-toed sloths is that they do not drink water. Their diet, comprising mostly of leaves gives them enough moisture without needing to drink water anymore.