Sloths are known for hanging upside down for most of their lives, but they don’t always hang. Here’s a breakdown of when and why sloths stay in the trees and when they venture to the ground.
1. Most of the Time, Yes, They Hang
Sloths spend the majority of their time hanging from trees. Their long, curved claws are perfect for gripping branches, and they are most comfortable in this position. In fact, sloths sleep, eat, and even travel while hanging from tree branches. Their upside-down lifestyle keeps them hidden from predators and helps conserve energy.
2. When Do Sloths Leave the Trees?
Despite their tree-dwelling lifestyle, sloths occasionally descend to the ground. They usually do this for one of the following reasons:
- To urinate or defecate: Sloths typically go to the ground for bathroom breaks, as they don’t like doing their business while hanging.
- To find a new tree: Sloths might climb down if they need to move to a different tree, though this is a risky move since they are much slower on the ground and more vulnerable to predators.
The Ground Is Risky for Sloths
Sloths are much slower on the ground and are at greater risk of being preyed upon by predators like jaguars. For this reason, sloths generally avoid the ground and stick to the safety of the trees whenever possible.