Meet the Physiology of Sloths
1. Sloth metabolism is remarkably low compared to other animals. Their biological systems use less energy; hence, they need to be fed less frequently.
2. Diet: Sloths mostly consume low-energy, low-mineral leaves. Their primary adaptation to their low-calorie diet—which enables them to live on very little food—is slow metabolism.
3. Thermoregulation: Compared to other animals, sloths are less skilled at controlling their body temperature. Their body temperature varies with the outside temperature; hence, on the contrary, they are extremely sensitive to environmental changes.
Sensation to Temperature
Most sloths are active between 20°C and 30°C (68°F and 86°F). Their bodies function well within this range; they can climb, eat, and groom.
As they fight to keep from overheating when temperatures rise above their optimal range, sloths may become lethargic. Metabolic rates can increase in high temperatures beyond what their low-energy diet allows. Sometimes, sloths withdraw to shaded areas and slow down to conserve energy. It has also been demonstrated that at higher temperatures, Bradypus variegatus consumes more oxygen.
Conversely, when temperatures drop below their optimal range, sloths' biological processes slow down much more. Extended cold exposure can be harmful to sloths' health even when they warm up in the sun.
Sloth activity varies with the day and the season:
To sloths, day and night are meaningless. They modify their actions in response to the temperature. Over the hottest months, they could be more active around dawn and twilight when it's cooler. But in colder months, the afternoons could be busier.
Where there are discernible seasons of rain and drought, sloth activity levels may vary as well. In the wet season, when temperatures are more comfortable, sloths are more active. Nevertheless, their activity levels could decrease during the dry season when temperatures could be higher.
The delicate balance between temperature and activity of sloths highlights the unique characteristics of these incredible animals. Living in a range of temperatures in tropical woods is made possible by their low metabolic rate, temperature sensitivity, and behavioral adaptations. Understanding how temperature affects sloth behavior can help one understand daily life and the intricate interactions between a species and its environment. Conservation of sloths and their habitats will depend on understanding these relationships as long as climate change keeps affecting world temperatures.