Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica Mar 30, 2024

Costa Rica"s forests are habitats for two sloth species: Hoffmann"s two-toed sloth and the star of today"s homepage, the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Despite being larger than many other tree-dwelling mammals, three-toed sloths have adapted by reducing their muscle mass and size to thrive on treetops. Their large stomachs have four chambers, which, when full, account for about 30% of their body weight. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats, which helps to camouflage them within the rainforest canopy. In 2021, these slow-moving creatures were declared national symbols in Costa Rica. Then-president Carlos Alvarado signed the initiative into law to emphasize the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.

© Juan Carlos Vindas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Mar 30, 2018The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
Mar 30, 2019Here’s why landmarks are going dark
Mar 30, 2020Spread some love with Bing
Mar 30, 2021Best fronds forever
Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows
Mar 30, 2023Bright and colorful peacock feathers
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 26, 2024Grand Canyon National Park turns 105
Mar 18, 2019Next stop, Tofino
Dec 14, 2020I see one!
Jan 23, 2019Celebrating Pie Day is as easy as, well…
Sep 10, 2020Hidden beauty in Thailand
Apr 7, 2019Busy building wetlands
Aug 29, 2024Castellfollit de la Roca, Catalonia, Spain
Jun 11, 2021An island in the Highlands
Oct 30, 2018A species worth defending
Nov 16, 202250 years of World Heritage Sites
Nov 12, 2018Honoring those who served
Jul 8, 2024National Blueberry Day
Aug 26, 2018From pirate port to nature preserve
May 3, 2023Wildebeests in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Feb 7, 2018The Kelpies statues in Falkirk, Scotland
Aug 8, 2022Pantaleu
Jun 21, 2019Ode to the sun
Nov 6, 2020Life in the slow lane
Aug 16, 2024International Roller Coaster Day
Sep 28, 2025The town of Pienza in Tuscany, Italy
Feb 15, 2025The natural ice wall of Misotsuchi, Chichibu, Japan
Jan 22, 2018Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
Feb 14, 2019Cue up the tango music
Jul 13, 2019Batten down the hatches
Mar 14, 2024Happy Pi Day!
Dec 18, 2021Full moon
Feb 6, 2024Bonsai Rock, Lake Tahoe, Nevada
Aug 9, 2021A tribute to the ancestors
Aug 13, 2021Fight for your lefts
Feb 12, 2024Darwin Day