186 



LAND MAMMALS IN THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE 



Edentata, which were once far more varied and abundant than 

 they now are, comprise three groups of animals so bizarre and 

 strange that they seem more Hke fabulous creatures than 

 actual, living mammals. One group, or suborder, is that of 

 the sloths (Tardigrada), arboreal, shaggy animals, with short, 



Fig. 107. — Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus tridactylus). — By permis.sion of the 

 N.Y. Zoolog. Soc. 



almost monkey-like head and no tail ; their very long legs 

 and hook-like feet make them nearly helpless on the ground, 

 but are very useful for hanging from the branches of the trees, 

 in which the creatures live. Indeed, the sloths are the only 

 mammals which habitually hang in a suspended position. 



