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Line 1: − :''[[Sloth (sin)|Sloth]] is also one of the [[Seven Deadly Sins]].''+ − + − + − Fossils of gigantic [[ground sloth]]s such as ''Megatherium'' have been found in [[Patagonia]].+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + − Living sloths use their clawed feet to hang upside down from tree branches, where they feed on leaves. The remarkably non-nutritious nature of such a diet may necessitate their habitual [[lethargy]].+ − − − − The two-toed sloth is in fact so inert that [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[algae]] commonly grows in its fur, making it the only mammal that appears to be green. This, along with its typical motionlessness, affords it excellent [[camouflage]] in the trees. + − Creation scientists believe that the sloth, in common with all ground dwelling animals, originated in the [[Middle East]]. After the [[Great Flood]] they were probably dispersed by [[Rafting (ecology)|rafting]] which enabled them to colonize South America as part of the [[Post-Diluvian Diasporas]].+ − + − − <ref/>
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{{Taxonomy
|name=Sloth
'''Sloths''' are a handful of species of slow-moving, [[herbivore|herbivorous]], [[arboreal]] [[South America]]n [[mammal]]s. The family is split into two [[genus]]es, the two-toed and the three-toed sloths.
|image=ThreeToedSloth.jpg
|caption=
|superkingdom=
|kingdom= Animalia
|subkingdom=
|superphylum=
|phylum=Chordata
|subphylum=
|infraphylum=
|microphylum=
|superdivision=
|division=
|subdivision=
|superclass=
|class=Mammalia
|subclass=
|infraclass=
|superorder=
|order=Pilosa
|suborder=Folivora
|infraorder=
|superfamily=
|family=Bradypodidae, Megalonychidae
|subfamily=
|supertribe=
|tribe=
|subtribe=
|genera=Bradypus<br/>Choloepus
|genus=
|subgenus
|species=B. pygmaeus<br>B. torquatus<br>B. tridactylus<br/>B. variegatus<br/>C. didactylus<br/>C. hoffmanni
|binomialname=
|sub=
|alt=
|regionimg=
|pop=
|conservation=
}}
'''Sloths''' are several species of [[South America]]n [[mammal]]s of the families Bradypodidae and Megalonychidae, of which the genera is represented by the living two and three-toed sloths.
== Habits ==
== Habits ==
Living sloths use their clawed feet to hang upside down from tree branches, where they feed on leaves. The remarkably non-nutritious nature of such a diet may necessitate their habitual [[lethargy]]. The two-toed sloth is in fact so inert that [[symbiosis|symbiotic]] [[algae]] commonly grows in its fur, making it the only mammal that appears to be green. This, along with its typical motionlessness, affords it excellent [[camouflage]] in the trees. Along the ground sloths move especially slowly, at a rate of only approximately 6.5 feet per minute.
Sloths defecate extremely infrequently (typically once a week). Yet remarkably, instead of just letting go from the treetops, they descend to the ground to use a single favored sloth lavatory, which over the years may grow to mountainous proportions, exposing themselves to considerable danger in the process.
Sloths defecate extremely infrequently (typically once a week). Yet remarkably, instead of just letting go from the treetops, they descend to the ground to use a single favoured sloth lavatory, which over the years may grow to mountainous proportions, exposing themselves to considerable danger in the process.
== Creationist perspective ==
== Creationist perspective ==
[[Creation science|Creation scientists]] believe that the sloth, like all ground-dwelling animals, originated in the [[Middle East]]. After the [[Great Flood]], the species was probably dispersed by [[Rafting (ecology)|rafting]] which enabled it to colonize South America as part of the [[Post-Diluvian Diasporas]].
==External links==
*[http://www.xenarthra.org/ Xenarthra.org] about sloths and similar mammals
==References==
[[Category:Mammals]]
[[Category:Mammals]]