Brown-throated three-toed sloth in cecropia tree, Costa Rica Mar 30, 2024

Costa Rica"s forests are habitats for two sloth species: Hoffmann"s two-toed sloth and the star of today"s homepage, the brown-throated three-toed sloth. Despite being larger than many other tree-dwelling mammals, three-toed sloths have adapted by reducing their muscle mass and size to thrive on treetops. Their large stomachs have four chambers, which, when full, account for about 30% of their body weight. These shaggy critters are so sedentary that algae grow on their coats, which helps to camouflage them within the rainforest canopy. In 2021, these slow-moving creatures were declared national symbols in Costa Rica. Then-president Carlos Alvarado signed the initiative into law to emphasize the sloths" importance in the country"s ecosystem.

© Juan Carlos Vindas/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Mar 30, 2018The Vestibule at Diocletian s Palace, Split, Croatia
Mar 30, 2019Here’s why landmarks are going dark
Mar 30, 2020Spread some love with Bing
Mar 30, 2021Best fronds forever
Mar 30, 2022Belted Galloway cows
Mar 30, 2023Bright and colorful peacock feathers
Mar 30, 2025Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 19, 2018Thomas Jefferson Memorial, Washington, DC
Feb 4, 2021Where is this wintry road?
Dec 12, 2025National Poinsettia Day
Nov 28, 2025Celebrating Native American Heritage Day
Aug 21, 2019Look before you leap
Dec 8, 2024Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens
Jun 7, 2024World Oceans Day
Jan 23, 2020Across the great plains of Africa
May 4, 2023Star Wars Day
Oct 28, 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain
May 10, 2018Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, New York
Jun 27, 2019The roots of invention
Jan 29, 2025Chinese New Year
Apr 9, 2018The Lena Delta Wildlife Reserve in Siberia, Russia
Apr 11, 2019Spring blooms in the Netherlands
May 8, 2023Arches National Park, Utah
Jul 20, 2020Earthrise on Moon Day
Jun 9, 2025Old City of Dubrovnik in Dalmatia, Croatia
Aug 22, 2023Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
Sep 21, 2021An old celebration for a new season
Jul 18, 2022Marine Day in Japan
Mar 13, 2018Wayag Islands in the Raja Ampat Islands of Indonesia
Jan 18, 2023White Sands National Park turns 90
Feb 5, 2026Salt evaporation ponds on the island of Gozo, Malta
Nov 16, 2023World Philosophy Day
Jul 27, 2025Barracudas at Shark Reef, Ras Mohammed National Park, Sinai Peninsula, Egypt
Mar 28, 2022Kawachi Fuji Garden
Jun 17, 2020Don t go chasing waterfalls
Jan 25, 2019Fighting evil with costumes
Jul 31, 2025Ring-tailed lemur