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

🥵 How do sloths reproduce? How does a sloth find a mate? Does it take forever? We hope this video answers all your questions about sloth mating! It’s the month of Valentine, love, and #SlothLoveMonth ❤️—show your love and support for sloths by making a gift on our website! | The Sloth Conservation Foundation