636 



THE AI, OR THREE-TOED SLOTH, 



THE SLOTH. 



IN the last group of the mammalia we find a very remarkable structure, adapted to serve a 

 particular end, and long misunderstood by zoologists. The common SLOTH, sometimes called 

 the TWO-TOED SLOTH, is a native of the West Indies, where it is not very often seen, although 

 it is not an uncommon animal. 



The peculiarity to be noticed in all the Sloths, of which there are several species, is, that 

 they pass the whole of their lives suspended, with their backs downwards, from the branches 

 of trees. The Sloth never gets upon 

 a bough, but simply hooks his 

 curved talons over it, and hangs in 

 perfect security. In order to enable 

 the animal to suspend itself with- 

 out danger of falling, the limbs are 

 enormously strong, the fore-legs are 

 remarkable for their length, and the 

 toes of all four feet are furnished 

 with strong, curved claws. Upon 

 the ground the Sloth is entirely out 

 of its element, as its limbs are 

 wholly unadapted for supporting 

 the weight of the body, and its long 

 claws cannot be employed as ad- 

 juncts to the feet. The only man- 

 ner in which a Sloth can advance, 

 when he is unfortunately placed in 

 such a position, is by hitching his 

 claws into any depression that may 

 afford him a hold, and so dragging 

 himself slowly and painfully for- 

 ward. On the trees, however, he 

 is quite a different creature, full of 

 life and animation, and traversing 

 the branches at a speed which is 

 anything but slothful. The Sloth 

 travels best in windy weather, be- 

 cause the branches of trees are 

 blown against each other, and per- 

 mit the animal to pass from one 

 tree to another without descending 

 to the ground. 



The food of the Sloth consists 

 of leaves, buds, and young shoots. It appears to stand in no need of water, being satisfied 

 with the moisture which clings to the herbage on which it feeds. In gathering the leaves 

 and drawing the branches within reach, the Sloth makes great use of its fore-paws, which, 

 however helpless upon the ground, can be managed with great dexterity. It is very tenacious 

 of life, and is protected from any injury which it might receive from falls, by the peculiar 

 structure of its skull. In length it is about two feet. 



THE Ai, or THREE-TOED SLOTH, is an inhabitant of South America, and is more common 

 than the preceding animal, from which it can easily be distinguished by the third toe on 

 its feet. The color of this animal is rather variable, but is generally of a brownish-gray, 



TWO-TOED SLOTH.- ChoUnpux didactylue. 



