Sloth and algae co-exist
It is very evident that sloths lives in a symbiosis with a green algae called Trichophilus welckeri. The assumption was reinforced by observations made by an algae systematics research team at the Department of Environmental Sciences of the University of Helsinki. The team analyses hair samples taken from sloths in Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil and the French Guyana. The goal was to find out whether sloths are so slow that any algae grows in its fur, or whether sloth cubs receive a specific algae from their mothers.
Both hypotheses turned out to be correct. A total of 426 eukaryotic organisms - from microbes to spiders - were found in the hair samples. The majority of the organisms were microscopic ciliates and algae.
“The fur of sloths absorbs water, whereas the fur of other mammals rejects it. Moreover, sloth fur has grooves which provides a good growth base for algae,” says Jaanika Blomster, the head of the research team. Algae gives the fur of sloths a greenish tint. The protective colour functions so well that it slows down the research on sloths. “Even though a sloth would have a transmitter on its collar, it may take an entire day to find it in the tree.” Algae obtain nutrients from sloth excretion. It is suspected that sloths get additional nutrition by licking their fur. (image source)
(I’m tearing up because the sloth’s body is like a living garden and I find that so cute.)
what a precious soul :)
