how can you tell the two-toed the three-toed sloth
Answer:
difference between two-toed and three-toed sloth
The majority of people assume that two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths are very closely related, but that is not true. In fact, I had assumed so, too.
Although modern two- and three-toed sloths share many characteristics such as their tendency to hang upside down and move slower than molasses, they are not close relatives. Two-toed and three-toed sloths don’t belong to the same family. Two-toed sloths belong to the family Megalonychid, while three-toed sloths are members of the family Bradypodid.
So, how did two species that evolved separately become so alike? They are the product of convergent evolution. Convergent evolution is when two different species or geniuses develop similar traits because of similar selective pressures in their environments.
Both two- and three- toed sloths belong to the order Pelosi. This family is made up of sloths and anteaters. However, as the phylogenetic tree to the left shows, they evolved separately. Two-toed sloths are closely related to ancient and extinct ground sloths in the families Megatheriid and Nothrotheriidae, while the three-toed sloth is not.
Their varying numbers of toes even allude to the fact that they evolved separately. Species don’t just randomly lose toes within a short period of time. The two-toed sloth would have had no use for an extra toe, so it became a vestigial feature, and eventually disappeared. One thing I am curious about is why three-toed sloths find the extra toe useful while two-toed sloths don’t.
Other differences between these sloths are the number of vertebrae in their necks, their number of ribs, their tales, and the lengths of their limbs. Two-toed sloths have six or seven vertebrae, while three-toed sloths have nine. Two-toed sloths have a total of forty-six ribs, but three-toed sloths have only twenty-eight. Three-toed sloths also have a small tail, while two-toed sloths do not. Two-toed sloths have arms that are about the same size as their legs, while three-toed sloths have much longer arms than legs. These differences show that they are only distantly related because it would take a long time for them to develop.
However, two-toed and three-toed sloths are both lazy for the same reason. They have long arms and small shoulder blades, allowing them to reach far without moving much. They hang upside down on branches because that way, they don’t have to waste energy on balancing. Sloths also sleep 15-18 hours per day.
The sloth’s laziness is an adaptation so that they don’t need to use as much energy and feed as often as normal. “With their mode of life, sloths are filling an ecological niche,” said Martin Fischer, a professor at the University of Jena. “Sloths lead their lives in energy-saving mode.” The sloth’s laziness also helps protect it. Predators often don’t see the sloth because it is unmoving and often covered in algae, making it camouflaged.
Like all members of the order Pelosi, sloths have long, strong claws. These claws aren’t used for combat, though. Other members of the order, like anteaters, use these claws to dig. However, both two- and three-toed sloths have adapted their claws the same way, and use them to grip tree branches while they hang upside down. These claws are in a fixed position and are no longer useful for digging, which is not a problem at all. Sloths only touch the ground once a week, unless they accidentally fall.
Both types of sloths are found in the same regions of South and Central America. Because they live in trees, don’t move very quickly and mainly eat leaves, they can share a habitat without bothering each other. Also, you don’t find any two-and-a-half-toed sloths or hybrids of the two sloths because of their reproductive isolation mechanisms. Two- and three-toed sloths cannot mate with each other.
Two-toed sloths and three-toed sloths are quite similar, but their internal differences show they are the product of convergent evolution.
If they both hang upside down all day and hardly move, why do you think it’s beneficial for the three-toed sloth to have more toes and neck vertebrae than the two-toed sloth? Also, why would two-toed sloths need 46 ribs when a large horse only has 36? Their bone structures are definitely interesting…
Lastly, do you think the three toed sloth would hang more upside down than the two-toed sloth if its arms are longer?
Explanation:
hope it helps
