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− | {{Taxonomy
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− | |name=Sloth
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− | |image=ThreeToedSloth.jpg
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− | |caption=
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− | |superkingdom=
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− | |kingdom= Animalia
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− | |subkingdom=
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− | |superphylum=
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− | |phylum=Chordata
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− | |subphylum=
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− | |infraphylum=
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− | |microphylum=
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− | |superdivision=
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− | |division=
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− | |subdivision=
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− | |superclass=
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− | |class=Mammalia
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− | |subclass=
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− | |infraclass=
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− | |superorder=
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− | |order=Pilosa
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− | |suborder=Folivora
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− | |infraorder=
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− | |superfamily=
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− | |family=Bradypodidae, Megalonychidae
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− | |subfamily=
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− | |supertribe=
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− | |tribe=
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− | |subtribe=
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− | |genera=Bradypus<br/>Choloepus
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− | |genus=
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− | |subgenus
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− | |species=B. pygmaeus<br>B. torquatus<br>B. tridactylus<br/>B. variegatus<br/>C. didactylus<br/>C. hoffmanni
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− | |binomialname=
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− | |sub=
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− | |alt=
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− | |regionimg=
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− | |pop=
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− | |conservation=
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− | }}
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− | '''Sloths''' are several species of [[South America]]n [[mammal]]s of the familys Bradypodidae and Megalonychidae, of which the genera is represented by the living two and three-toed sloths.
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− | == Habits ==
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− | 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.
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− | 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.
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− | == Creationist perspective ==
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− | [[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]].
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− | ==Links==
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− | *[http://www.xenarthra.org/ Xenarthra.org] about sloths and similar mammals
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− | [[Category:Mammals]]
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