We see them all over the Internet in hilarious memes and compare ourselves to them when we can’t muster the energy to get out of bed in the morning, but that’s all we really know about the sloth. Here are some fun facts about the weird little creatures we’ve come to love so much:
1. There are actually two kinds of sloths: the two-toed and the three-toed sloth. Their “toes” are actually long claws that help them hang in trees in the rain forests of Central and South America. So you can tell them apart by their drastic manicures or by their eyes. Three-toed sloths tend to have what looks like black eyeliner all around their eyes while two-toed sloths have naked, beady eyes.
2. They are the world’s slowest mammals. They can sleep for up to 20 hours a day and spend most of their lives hanging from tree branches. Because they’re so slow, it’s dangerous for them to hang out on land where they could be attacked by a predator so they mate and give birth in trees. And, they only come down their trees once a week to go to the bathroom!
4. While they can’t walk on land very well, they are excellent swimmers!
5. They eat mostly leaves and shoots. And if they’re lucky, they can find Hibiscus flowers for dessert!
Sloths are more than just a funny Internet fad- they are interesting and unique animals! So it’s no wonder Kristen Bell reacted the way she did when her incredibly sweet husband got a sloth for her birthday party 2 years ago.
P.S. As finals draw closer, take a page out of the sloth’s book and give your self all the rest you need to be healthy and productive! Maybe don’t take a 20-hour nap, but try to fit in a 2 hour one whenever you can!