TED-Ed: Why are sloths so slow? - Kenny Coogan

The video explores the history and biology of ground sloths, starting with Jefferson's misidentification of sloth bones as those of a giant lion. It covers the evolution and extinction of these creatures, their ecological roles, and their unique adaptations to a low-energy diet. The video also highlights the survival of smaller sloth species in rainforests and their slow metabolism, which allows them to thrive in treetops. Finally, it discusses how sloths serve as habitats for other organisms.

What did Jefferson initially think the bones he found belonged to?

• A giant armadillo

• A mastodon

• A large North American lion

• A giant sloth

What role did giant sloths play in the spread of avocado trees?

• They protected avocado trees from predators

• They fertilized the soil for avocado trees

• They could swallow and disperse the large seeds

• They planted seeds manually

What is one theory for the extinction of giant sloths?

• A massive flood

• An oncoming ice age

• A disease outbreak

• A sudden volcanic eruption

How do sloths primarily obtain energy from their diet?

• By consuming high-energy seeds

• By extracting energy from leaves

• By hunting small animals

• By eating a variety of fruits

What is a unique feature of a sloth's stomach?

• It is single-chambered

• It takes up a third of their body

• It digests food in a few hours

• It is similar to a reptile's stomach

Why do sloths have less muscle mass compared to other animals their size?

• They are primarily aquatic

• They live in cold environments

• They move very slowly

• They have a high-energy diet

What advantage does the algae on sloths provide?

• It offers extra camouflage

• It helps them move faster

• It repels predators

• It increases their body temperature