Sloths' fur is so so different to any other mammals. Sloth fur is very important to their thermoregulation. It has two distinct layers that is specially adapted to allow the sloth to be a miniature, mobile ecosystem. | The Sloth Conservation Foundation

The orange patch of fur on a sloth’s back is called a speculum (yes, really - don’t ask who named it 😅). And after 16 years of observations, we are finally getting closer to understanding what it’s actually for 👀🦥 Only male three-fingered sloths develop it (except maned sloths - they love breaking the rules). It shows up around age 2–3, right when they hit sexual maturity. It’s almost certainly linked to sexual selection (having a bright speculum is not ideal when your main defence is camoufl