Why do Sloths Hang Upside-Down?

The Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica not only provides a safe haven and home for dozens of sloths, but also carries out biological research on these little-known creatures. Here they provide an explanation as to why and how sloths can live their entire lives upside down.
“Three-fingered sloths have a unique system of multiple internal adhesions that anchor their abdominal organs against the lower ribs. These adhesions support the weight of a sloth’s stomach, kidneys and digestive tract when inverted, facilitating ease in breathing by preventing the lungs from being compressed.

Our Sloth Backpack Project reveals that sloths spend about 90% of their day inverted; the internal adhesions make that possible by reducing sloths’ energy expenditure. Because of their extremely slow metabolic rate and exceptionally low body temperature, it can take up to 30 days to digest a single leaf. Having a constantly full stomach means they can’t ingest much on a daily basis, so their caloric intake is very low. Sloths have virtually no flexibility in their energy budget: they generate just enough energy from their diet to move when and where required; beyond that, not much more is stored.

Why do sloths hang upside down for so long? Because they need to eat tender new leaves that grow on the outer tips of branches. These leaves often have a lower toxin content and are easier to digest. In order to reach these choice leaves, a sloth has to hang by its toes.

In addition to the adhesions, sloths have other anatomical features that allow them to remain comfortable when inverted. These include circulatory adaptations that prevent the blood rushing to the head and a highly specialized esophagus that allows them to swallow while upside down.”
sloth

 

Sloth GIFs are go

Now available for iPhone 5-6 with iOS8 is the new GIF keyboard by Riffsy. GIFs are great for expressing yourself anytime, but this app lets you search for any GIF out there.

Do you understand? THIS MEANS YOU CAN MESSAGE SLOTH GIFS TO ALL YOUR SLOTH FRIENDS. Do it. Spread the love. Spread the sloth.

 

IMG_7249.PNGrifsloth

That’s the thing about football

AFL Grand Final day today. I enjoyed it not so much because of the footy but because it’s a whole day of friends, drinks, food, sun and antics. Had a big lunch then got my cider on, followed by a walk to the beach with the girls, came back and watched the second half of football with the guys (Ok, Hawks well dominated Sydney, congrats for the second year in a row), then spent the rest of the day and evening hanging out. Felt very slothful and loving life. slothdirtsleep

Going Out Tonight…

I’ve got tickets to Departure at the Art Gallery of South Australia tonight. Looking forward to it! But also would love to go home and curl up and watch a movie. Is that bad? So antisocial. But so sleepy. Word to the wise: I prefer Saturday night shenanigans to Friday night funs. Too much work before hand and not enough sleeping. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA