Sloth with young in Costa Rican canopy

A mother sloth clings to a tree branch in Costa Rica, with her young nestled against her. Sloths are arboreal mammals native to the rainforests of Central and South America. Their slow metabolism and specialized diet of leaves contribute to their sedentary lifestyle, allowing them to conserve energy in the canopy. This species plays a role in the forest ecosystem by influencing vegetation and serving as a host for various symbiotic organisms in their fur.