A project of AMAZON INSTITUTE The Amazon Institute is working
diligently to preserve endangered species and battle
deforestation in South America. The natural world, in all its
splendor and grace, is in critical condition due to species
extinction and endangerment and the destruction of natural
habitat through deforestation. However, it does NOT have to be
this way. Becoming aware of these problems is the first step to
fixing them. The 3-toed Sloth is a very interesting animal with
a number of unique adaptations for survival. For example, its
fur has formed a beautiful symbiotic relationship with
cyanobacteria(algae), making the actual fur of the sloth an
independent ecosystem. Because the algae is green it makes the
sloths fur appear green and brown, helping the animal to better
blend in with its arboreal surroundings. Equally as unique as
the sloths fur are its teeth. The teeth of the sloth grow
continuously, throughout its 40 to 50 year life. Sloths are also
very adequate swimmers, despite their predominat