Climate Change Threatens Survival of High-Altitude Sloths

New research reveals that rising temperatures could push highland sloths toward extinction due to their slow metabolism and limited adaptability.

Sloths in high-altitude regions face increased metabolic rates as temperatures rise, making survival difficult.
The study, published in PeerJ Life & Environment, highlights the unique vulnerability of these sloths to climate change.
Highland sloths cannot easily migrate to cooler areas, unlike their lowland counterparts who can adapt better to warmer conditions.
Researchers predict a temperature increase of 2 to 6 degrees Celsius in sloth habitats by 2100, exacerbating the metabolic strain on high-altitude sloths.
Sloths' slow digestion and energy processing limitations prevent them from compensating for increased energy needs through higher food intake.