Brown-throated sloth, Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Info. Brown-throated sloth in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Sloths like this three-toed type move very little to conserve the limited energy gained from their diet of leaves. They live their whole lives hanging around in trees from their hooked claws, only descending for bathroom breaks and an occasional swim. Sloths even sleep in a dangling position – often snoozing away 20 hours of the day.

Sloths have a very low percentage of muscle mass, so their slender limbs can't easily support their weight. Instead, they need to crawl or drag themselves along the forest floor – a dangerous inconvenience with predators about, which is why they spend most of their time in the treetops.