Category Archives: Videos

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.

threetoedslothandmoths

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

 

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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. LOTR sloths

Art Videos No comments

Donate and Become a Sloth!

I post a lot of pictures from Shitty Watercolour, who paints watercolours of which many involve sloths. At this moment, he is raising money by playing video games for as close to 25 hours as he can manage. If you, as I did, donate $15 or more, then he will draw you as a sloth! I can’t wait to see myself in sloth form! If you would like to support S. and the Children’s National Hospital, you can do so here. While we are waiting patiently for our sloth portraits to arrive, enjoy this short film by S. on sloth facts, together with cute little watercolours.

 

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Perry the Sloth

Meet Perry. Okay, I know what you’re thinking. That’s not Perry, that’s Belt from The Croods 3D Dreamworks movie. And you would be right. But when “Belt” arrived on my doorstep, I didn’t see the stone age hip-hugging sloth that he is in this fantastic movie (you’ve got to check it out, seriously he’s uber cute), I saw my dopey, snoozy, Perry. He was different to Belt. Maybe a cousin, perhaps? He can’t play the drums, and he certainly won’t wield a knife. He is the best sloth for giving hugs because his arms are so long, and he loves to sit and watch soapies with me of an evening. Having said that, you can get Belt here, but make sure you give him lots of hugs too.

The name Perry comes from the word Perezoso, which is Spanish for Sloth. Sloths are found all over the Spanish speaking country of Costa Rica.Perrysloth

And just so you don’t doubt me about how adorable Belt is in The Croods, here’s a short clip:

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