Bipedal Sloth

Introduction

The bipedal sloth (Bradypus recto), is an arboreal omnivorous mammal, formerly native only to the now-submerged Isla Escudo de Veraguas, which was 17 km from the north coast of Panama. It lives exclusively in the Red Mangrove forests of the island. It is notable for being bipedal. Aside from its for developed hind legs, the upright sloth still resembles regular sloths, and is slightly smaller than the brown-throated sloth (Bradypus variegatus).

Because it used to live exclusively on La Isla Escudo de Veraguas, the Pygmy sloths, who were descendants of the upright sloth, were almost extinct in 2020, with only 79 left on the island. They faced the possibility of extinction due to habitat loss, mainly logging, as well as hunting. Due to global warming, La Isla Escudo de Veraguas was at risk of submersion, so the sloths were relocated to Panama during the 2030s.

Etymology

The scientific name of the bipedal sloth, Bradypus rectus, stems from its genus, Bradypus, and the Latin word for “upright,” rectus. It is named so due to the sloths upright nature. The word Bradypus in New Latin, comes from Greek, Bradypous, slow of foot, brady, and pous, foot.

Habitat and Population

Bipedal sloths live in forests on the north coast of Panama. They eat bugs, as well as plants, and shoots. The current population has rebounded, now numbering 1,000 due to the evolution from Pygmy sloths to upright sloths. It is not sought after by predators, as it is hard to reach, but its main predators are snakes. They live in groups, and usually birth multiple children, caring for them for 9 months. Its gestation period is still unknown.

History

Bipedal Sloths are descended from the Pygmy sloths that lived on La Escudo de Veraguas. In the second decade of the 21st century, the Pygmy Sloth population on the island was reduced to only 79, due to logging, as well as hunting. Eventually, the Panamanian Government passed a law that prevented people from going to the island. Because the law prevented human contact, the sloth population rebounded, and started living in groups due to the sheer number of them on a small island, but also evolved to have multiple offspring per mating season. They also evolved a quality that led to their name. Since they became bipedal, they were able to get around the island in order to get food in their slowly submerging habitat. Once they were moved to Panama, the sloths increased in size, because their habitat suddenly had abundant amounts of food.

Evolution

The bipedal sloth is most notable for being bipedal, a trait it adapted in order to get around their previously slowly shrinking habitat. Aside from their most notable characteristic, upright sloths are also the only sloth species that live in social groups, which helps them reproduce more often. Because they moved from a small island to a large forest, they also increased dramatically in size.

Summary

The Bipedal Sloths’ predecessor was on the brink of extinction. Its evolved traits, though developed through the changing conditions of La Escudo de Veraguas, adapted perfectly to the Panamanian mainland. The Bipedal sloth, as a relatively new species, is thriving, and is projected by scientists to eventually expand away from the coast of Panama and reach numbers of up to 10,000.

Works Cited

“Bradypus.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bradypus.

“Pygmy Sloth.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 13 Nov. 2019, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pygmy_three-toed_sloth.

“Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth: Bradypus Pygmaeus.” EDGE of Existence, Zoological Society of London,https://www.edgeofexistence.org/species/pygmy-three-toed-sloth.

“Reproduction.” Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth, Weebly.com, http://three-toedslothresources.weebly.com/reproduction.html.