THE ORDERS OF MAMMALS 



435 



The sloths inhabit the tropical forests of Central and South 

 America. They live in the tree tops, and hang to the underside 

 of the branches by means of two or three long, curved claws. 

 Their food consists of leaves and buds. 



Fig.. 



-Porcupine. (Photo, by Brownc'll.) 



The armadillos (Fig. 138) are curious mammals with an armor 

 of bony plates. When disturbed, they roll up into a ball, in 

 which condition they are not easily injured. The nine-banded 

 armadillo lives in southern Texas. 



Even-toed Hoofed Mammals. — This group contains the 

 majority of the " game " animals, and includes the pigs, hippo- 

 potami, camels, giraffes, deer, antelopes, sheep, goats, cattle, etc. 



