Case Solved: Why Sloths Are Slothful
The research, part of Nyakatura’s doctoral thesis, revealed that sloths are lazy for good reason. Their bodies have evolved to have adaptations to save energy, with long arms set on short shoulder blades allowing for a large reach with very little movement. This enables sloths to save energy while making the same movements as other mammals.
“With their mode of life, sloths are filling an ecological niche,” said study researcher Martin Fischer, a professor of systematic zoology and evolutionary biology at the University of Jena. “Sloths lead their lives in energy-saving mode.”
