Why Sloths Can Live off Leaves and You Can't

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Did you know that sloths have an incredibly slow metabolism, which is what allows them to survive on leaves? These arboreal mammals native to Central and South America are known for moving slow and spending most of their lives hanging upside down. A sloth's slow metabolism means that it takes a long time for them to digest food – it can take up to a month for a sloth to process a single meal. This adaptation allows them to conserve energy, which is essential since their diet of leaves provides limited nutritional value. As a result, sloths spend the majority of their time resting and sleeping, averaging around 15 to 20 hours of sleep per day. Additionally, the slow metabolic rate contributes to the sloth's low body temperature, which ranges from 86 to 93 Fahrenheit (30 to 34 Celsius). This is significantly lower than most other mammals and helps the sloth to minimize energy expenditure even further. Subscribe for more animal facts!