While there are many different theories, the likely explanation is that it’s all about communication and reproduction. The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a myrmecophagous bear species native to the Indian subcontinent. Sloth bears suck up ants and grubs with their long lips. They have a very rare condition called rod monochromacy which means that they completely lack cone cells in their eyes. Adult males weigh from 80 to 192 kg (176 to 423 lb) while adult … They have even been known to remain suspended upside down after death! The sloth bear has a gap in its front teeth that lets it suck up insects easily. Furthermore, they will only do it on the ground. With proceeds supporting sloth conservation. They feasted on the fruit and then dispersed the seeds far and wide. They will only relieve themselves once a week and can lose up to a third of their body weight in one sitting! The head-body length of a bear is about 4.6–6.2 pounds. Sloth bears in captivity have lived as long as 40 years. It has a white mark on its front and a white muzzle. This weird weekly routine remains one of the biggest mysteries surrounding sloth behaviour. You consent to our cookies by continuing to use our site and online resources. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features, to track access and usage for security purposes and to analyse our traffic. If they get too cold, the special microbes that live in their stomachs can die, and the sloth can no longer digest the leaves that it eats. 10 incredible facts about the sloth Originally named after one of the Seven Deadly Sins, it’s no surprise that sloths have been labelled as the worlds laziest animals for decades. There were thought to be over 80 different types with the largest (Megatherium) reaching over six meters in height. They grow up to 6 feet in length, and males can weigh up to 310 pounds, while females weigh up to 210 pounds. They make a snuffling, vacuum sound when they are eating bugs. As a result all sloths are colour-blind, can only see poorly in dim light and are completely blind in bright daylight. They have a highly specialised muscle arrangement that can produce enough strength to withstand the force of a jaguar trying to rip them from the tree. They use their long claws to dig up beetles and ants. Long claws. The likely explanation is that it’s all about communication and reproduction. The bear has a shoulder height of 60 – 90 cm. Nostrils of Sloth bears can close completely, thus protecting the animals from dust or insects when they raid termite nests or beehives. To give you an insight into the misunderstood world of the sloth, Dr. Rebecca Cliffe (SloCo Founder and Executive Director) has given us her 10 favourite weird and wonderful sloth facts (originally published for the BBC): The extinct giant ground sloths were some of the only mammals that had digestive systems large enough to process the huge avocado seeds whole. active against certain strains of bacteria, cancer and parasites. Sloth bears are solitary creatures and generally nocturnal. Sloths are famous for their unusual and bizarre bathroom habits – they will only relieve themselves once a week and can lose up to a third of their body weight in one sitting! Sloth Bear Facts for Kids. Fun Facts about Sloth Bears for Kids. Mouth. Fun Facts for Kids. They can swim through water three times faster than they can move on the ground! They love mangoes and figs. Sloth bears are from 60 to 90 cm (2 to 3 ft) high at the shoulder, and have a body length from 1.4 to 1.9 m (4.6 to 6.2 ft). It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, mainly because of habitat loss and degradation. When two sloths fight it is typically over access to a female for mating, and the aim of a sloth fight is to knock your opponent out of the tree. In fact, when sloths were first described in the scientific literature in 1749 they were labelled as “the lowest form of existence”! From the moment they are born sloths are able to lift their entire body weight upwards with just one arm. Not only that, but sloths have 30% less muscle mass than similar sized mammals and are over three times stronger than the average human. Sloths have the lowest metabolic rate of any mammal, which means that it takes them a long time to digest anything. The sloth bear is a small- to medium-size bear found in the lowland forests of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Bangladesh. But don’t worry, all sloths are anatomically designed to fall and survive. Unlike most mammals, sloths have sacrificed the ability to control their body temperature in order to save energy. The sloth bear has the longest tail of all bears. Fast Facts Class. We suspect that wild sloths actually live for much longer than that. For instance, did you know a single sloth may be home to moths, beetles, cockroaches, fungi, and algae? In fact, when sloths were first described in the scientific literature in 1749 they were labelled as “ the lowest form of existence ”! It is also known as labiated bear. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you've provided to them or that they've collected from your use of their services. The oldest known sloth in the world just turned 50 years old and she lives at a zoo in Germany. Adult males weigh 176 to 423 pounds while females average 121 to 273 pounds in weight. They are complex, mysterious animals that have an evolutionary history so weird that you might accuse us of making it up. They have long, curved claws. In two-fingered sloths, this over-sized stomach is supported by 46 ribs (23 pairs) which is more than any other mammal! It feeds on fruits, ants and termites. Sloth bears eat fruit. A single sloth can host up to 950 moths and beetles within its fur at once. Specialised tendons in the sloth’s hands and feet lock into place, allowing them to hang upside down for long periods of time without wasting any energy. Females are smaller than males. There is even evidence to suggest that several different species of marine sloth existed, feeding from sea grass and seaweed in shallow water. All tree sloths that we see today evolved from giant ground sloths. Although they spend most of their time in the trees, sloths are surprisingly good swimmers. Some species of fungi living in sloth fur have been found to be active against certain strains of bacteria, cancer and parasites! Sloths are anatomically designed to fall out of trees. This unique locking mechanism is also how sloths are able to sleep while hanging from a tree branch. When feeding, Sloth bears make loud huffing and sucking noises, which can be heard over 100 m away. They have an incredibly large and permanently full four-chambered stomach, which can account for up to 30% of their body mass. This bear has a long, shaggy coat that can range in color from black to reddish-brown. (FUN ANIMAL FACTS/WILDLIFE/SLOTHS) Sloths are adorable, slow-moving mammals native to Central and South America. The sloth bear has a shaggy coat that is usually black with a ‘Y’ shaped white color down its chest. Subscribe below to get your exclusive code! This allows them to turn their heads through 270° and effortlessly keep their nose above water when swimming. Click here for our full privacy policy. Scroll down for a fun list of 15 more surprising sloth facts. Female sloth bears will have one or two babies and will raise them for the first 2-3 years of their lives.

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