January 2014 - Sloths.com.au

I Don’t Always Sleep…

Had to share this picture of Doza Sloth. I plonked him down on my bed head and when I look back this is his pose. V. suave.

30 January 2014

Ah, Snorman. I loves him. He’s the sloth equivalent of a tween, and is a quirky kid who likes to go on picnics and adventures and bounce around all over the bed. Don’t try to tell him off though, because his sweet-as-pie gaze will make you do anything for this lovable scallywag!
My Snorman comes from here.

29 January 2014

Sloth Fur Fungi may Fight Against Disease

Another scientific post! Some species of fungi found in sloth fur may be able to fight against certain parasites, cancers, and bacteria. Read an article about it here, and view the original paper from PLOS One.

29 January 2014

Science No comments Sarah

Sloths & Moths

Scientists studying sloths have recognized a syndrome of mutualism between sloths, moths and algae, that could explain how the sloth overcomes its “laid-back” lifestyle.

We discovered that sloths consumed algae from their fur, which was highly digestible and lipid-rich. By descending a tree to defecate, sloths transport moths to their oviposition sites in sloth dung, which facilitates moth colonization of sloth fur. Moths are portals for nutrients, increasing nitrogen levels in sloth fur, which fuels algal growth. Sloths consume these algae-gardens, presumably to augment their limited diet. These linked mutualisms between moths, sloths and algae appear to aid the sloth in overcoming a highly constrained lifestyle.

The original journal paper can be downloaded from here, or you can watch this short YouTube clip explaining it in layman’s terms!

28 January 2014

Science Videos No comments Sarah

‘Straya Day Mate

Yesterday (Sunday) was Australia Day, which means that today (Monday) is a public holiday. We took a drive up into the Adelaide Hills for a gorgeous slothy lunch. Yesterday was filled with BBQ, friends, drinks, cricket, tennis, Triple J and more BBQ and drinks.

27 January 2014

Blog Posts No comments Sarah

LOTR Sloths

I forgot to mention that I went to see the second “Hobbit” movie a couple weeks ago. Loved it! But then I love all the LOTR movies anyway Check out these Lord of the Rings sloths by S.Watercolour.