Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica Mar 30, 2024

Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica

Costa Rica"s forests are habitats for two sloth species: Hoffmann"s two-toed sloth and the star of today"s homepage, the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Despite being larger than many other tree-dwelling mammals, three-toed sloths have adapted by reducing their muscle mass and size to thrive on treetops. Their large stomachs have four chambers, which, when full, account for about 30% of their body weight. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats, which helps to camouflage them within the rainforest canopy. In 2021, these slow-moving creatures were declared national symbols in Costa Rica. Then-president Carlos Alvarado signed the initiative into law to emphasize the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.

© Juan Carlos Vindas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Mar 30, 2018The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
Mar 30, 2019Here’s why landmarks are going dark
Mar 30, 2020Spread some love with Bing
Mar 30, 2021Best fronds forever
Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows
Mar 30, 2023Bright and colorful peacock feathers
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Apr 6, 2025National Library Week
Apr 24, 2020Celebrating 30 years of eye-opening images
May 30, 2021Who s hiding in the kelp?
Nov 24, 2021Chocolate Hills
Oct 24, 2024Bodie State Historic Park, California
Mar 9, 2020This grizzly has Napping Day down
May 8, 2021World Migratory Bird Day
Jan 20, 2021Penguins can t fly!
Dec 11, 2023International Mountain Day
Aug 5, 2023Atlantic puffin, Iceland
Feb 9, 2018Speed skaters in the Gangneung Oval, Pyeongchang, South Korea
Jul 18, 2018Celebrate Mandela Day
Nov 30, 2025Christmas market in Leipzig, Germany
Jan 7, 2019An avian predator built for the snow
Feb 5, 2019Welcome to the Year of the Pig
Oct 22, 2021Jasper Dark Sky Festival
Feb 23, 2023The lights of Paris
May 28, 2018Honoring the fallen
Dec 1, 2023Antarctica Day
Mar 27, 2018Macro photograph of a migrant hawker dragonfly
Jul 2, 2025Spine-cheeked anemonefish in Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea
Mar 19, 2022Chicagohenge
Nov 21, 20222022 FIFA World Cup
Sep 28, 2018Southern right whales sail home to South Africa
Sep 9, 2024Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina and Brazil
Jun 29, 2019It s National Camera Day. Get the picture?
Feb 22, 2021Invisible no longer
Dec 25, 2021Merry Christmas
Mar 4, 2024Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Jun 24, 2021The call of the wild in Alaska