10 Different types of animals similar to sloth
Sloths, recognized for their endearing appearance and unhurried demeanor, hold the title of the slowest mammals globally, with a maximum speed of merely 1.2 miles per hour (mph). These fascinating creatures have been inhabitants of Earth for over 65 million years, falling into two categories: three-fingered and two-fingered. Belonging to the superorder Xenarthra, they share this classification with armadillos and anteaters.
These charming animals inhabit the treetops of tropical forests in Central and South America. Being arboreal beings, sloths gracefully navigate their surroundings using canopy vines. Known for their leisurely pace, sloths dedicate approximately 15 to 18 hours each day to rest. While they are generally solitary, they occasionally descend from the trees in pursuit of a mate.
Read on learning to know about animals that share similarities with sloths:
1. Armadillos
They are scientifically classified as Dasypodidae, are distinct armor-plated mammals closely related to sloths within the superorder Xenarthra, alongside anteaters. Much like sloths, armadillos possess sharp, elongated claws adapted for digging.
These creatures share a characteristic of maintaining a low body temperature, aligning with the traits observed in sloths and anteaters. In response to threats, certain armadillo species exhibit a defensive behavior by rolling into a protective ball.
While armadillos demonstrate a faster pace of movement compared to sloths, both species share a penchant for extended periods of sleep. Armadillos, akin to sloths, can indulge in up to 16 hours of rest per day.
2. Tarsier
The tarsier, scientifically known as Tarsiidae, is a petite tree-dwelling primate with intriguing similarities to sloths. Indigenous to the Southeast Asian islands, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and the Philippines, these diminutive creatures are typically located between 3 and 6.5 feet above the ground.
Similar to sloths, tarsiers exclusively inhabit trees, thriving in forested regions. Unlike sloths, whose diet consists solely of leaves and twigs, tarsiers display a carnivorous inclination. Their diet encompasses reptiles, birds, frogs, and insects, making them the only entirely carnivorous primate.
3. koala
The koala, an Australian marsupial that resides in trees, shares several characteristics with sloths. Exclusive to Australia, koalas are recognized for their arboreal lifestyle and possess long, sharp claws akin to sloths.
Much like sloths, koalas face extended periods of sleep, with the added distinction that they can slumber for up to 20 hours per day. The eucalyptus leaves, constituting their primary diet, contain toxins and contribute to the drowsiness observed in koalas.
Both herbivores with a preference for leaves, koalas and sloths share this dietary similarity. Despite this resemblance, koalas are marsupials, distinguishing them from sloths, and they carry their offspring in pouches after birth.
See Also: Alligators tongue and taste buds Fact
4. Lemurs
Lemurs, endearing primates exclusive to Madagascar, exhibit sleeping habits akin to sloths. With over 100 species, lemurs share the arboreal lifestyle with sloths, dwelling in trees.
Unlike some other primates, lemurs lack the ability to grip with their tails. Similar to sloths, they rely on their hands and feet to navigate through trees, showcasing a comparable method of movement. Notably, lemurs demonstrate a swifter pace in their tree-dwelling activities compared to sloths.
5. Tree Kangaroo
In the lowlands and rainforests of Australia, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, tree kangaroos find their habitat. Strikingly, they share more similarities with sloths than with their fellow kangaroos, positioning themselves as the sole true arboreal marsupials in their family.
Unfortunately, both tree kangaroos and sloths face endangerment, largely attributed to human-induced destruction of their forest habitats. Emphasizing their adaptation to tree-dwelling, tree kangaroos, like sloths, possess elongated claws crucial for navigating the intricate forest canopy.
6. Sloth Bear
In the tropical or subtropical regions of Sri Lanka and India, sloth bears find their habitat as forest-dwelling bears. Despite their name suggesting a connection to sloths, sloth bears, in reality, share some characteristics but are not closely related.
With shaggy fur and long claws reminiscent of sloths, sloth bears exhibit behaviors such as hanging upside down from tree branches, echoing the sloth’s arboreal habits.
Despite the name association with sloths, sloth bears showcase surprising agility and speed, capable of running as fast as a human. When threatened or surprised, they can be aggressive and attack.
Similar to sloths, sloth bears generally lead solitary lives, except during the breeding season occurring from May through July.
7. Owl monkeys
Owl monkeys, also known as night monkeys, hold the distinction of being the sole truly nocturnal monkeys globally. Inhabiting the subtropical and tropical forests of South America, these fascinating creatures, akin to sloths, seldom descend from the canopy of trees. Sharing a penchant for rest, they indulge in approximately 17 hours of sleep each day, echoing the sloth’s leisurely lifestyle.
One of the distinctive features of owl monkeys is their remarkably large eyes, a unique adaptation to their nocturnal habits.
8. Giant Panda
The giant panda, an iconic black-and-white bear exclusive to China, shares a reputation for leisurely and sluggish behavior, reminiscent of sloths.
Unlike sloths, pandas don’t inhabit trees, and they stand out as significantly larger animals. Pandas can reach weights of up to 350 lbs, while sloths typically range between 9 and 17 pounds.
Intriguingly, pandas display a unique energy-saving trait, utilizing only 38 percent of the daily energy expended by other bears. This energy efficiency aligns with the measured daily energy expenditure of a three-fingered sloth.
9. Tree Pangolin
Residing in the rainforests of Central Africa, tree pangolins, often referred to as scaly anteaters, are distinctive scaly mammals in a unique family unrelated to anteaters.
These semi-arboreal creatures exhibit sharp claws that aid them in navigating trees, reminiscent of sloths. In a departure from sloths, tree pangolins utilize their tails for climbing and grasping onto branches.
10. Gibbons
It belonging to the family Hylobatidae, are small apes inhabiting the tropical and subtropical rainforests of Southern Asia.
Siamang gibbons boast an impressive arm span of around 5 feet, with arms 1.5 times longer than their legs. While sloths surpass them with arms that are 1.7 times longer than their legs, both species share the commonality of spending the majority of their time in the trees. Gibbons and sloths stand out as mammals with remarkably long arms.
