Sloth hair also harbours a rich fungal flora. The algae are generally absent in the hair of young sloths, and may also be absent in particularly old individuals, where the outer cuticle of the hair has been lost. ![]() These cracks are host to a number of commensal species of algae, including Rufusia pillicola, Dictyococcus bradypodis, and Chlorococcum choloepodis. The hairs are unusual in lacking a central medulla, and have numerous microscopic cracks across their surfaces. The guard hairs are very coarse and stiff, and overlie a much softer layer of dense under-fur. The face is generally paler in color, with a stripe of very dark fur running beneath the eyes. The brown-throated sloth has grayish-brown to beige-color fur over the body, with darker brown fur on the throat, the sides of the face, and the forehead. They have no gall bladder, cecum, or appendix. As with other sloths, the brown-throated sloth has no incisor or canine teeth, and the cheek teeth are simple and peg-like. The head is rounded, with a blunt nose and inconspicuous ears. Each foot has three fingers, ending in long, curved claws, which are 7 to 8 cm (2.8 to 3.1 in) long on the fore feet, and 5 to 5.5 cm (2.0 to 2.2 in) on the hind feet. Adults weigh from 2.25 to 6.3 kg (5.0 to 13.9 lb), with no significant size difference between males and females. The tail is relatively short, only 2.5 to 9 cm (1.0 to 3.5 in) long. The brown-throated sloth is of similar size and build to most other species of three-toed sloths, with both males and females being 42 to 80 cm (17 to 31 in) in total body length. It is the most common of the four species of three-toed sloth, and is found in the forests of South and Central America. The brown-throated sloth ( Bradypus variegatus) is a species of three-toed sloth found in the Neotropical realm of Central and South America.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |