Slow Down and Move at Your Own Pace

Sloths are a group of arboreal Neotropical mammals. They spend most of their lives hanging upside down in the trees of the tropical rainforests of South and Central America.

Because sloths have an extremely low metabolic rate, they move at a sluggish pace through the trees.  On average, sloths travel 41 yards per day.

The facial structure of sloths gives the appearance that they are constantly smiling. Sloths seem cute and friendly, but if provoked they can be dangerous. If left alone in their natural habitat, sloths do not pose a threat to humans.

Sloths who feel threatened may use their teeth or long nails to cause pain.  Two-fingered sloths can bite anyone who approaches them too closely with their four sharp teeth.

Sloths are solitary creatures who want to be left alone.  They do not like to be touched.  When they are held, their heart rates increase and they are visibly more alert. Being held by people can be very distressing and disorienting for them.

A female sloth makes a screaming sound when she is in heat and ready to breed.  She doesn’t wait for the males to come to her.  She actively encourages them to come to find her with her high-pitched screams. 

The sloth diet is mainly based on leaves which means there is a low intake of energy.  They balance such low calorie intake with reduced energy waste.  Sloths can’t move rapidly and run away if a predator attacks them.  Eagles and jaguars are common predators. 

Sloths spend most of their lives upside down.  They use their hooked claws on both their toes and fingers to hold on to the trees. Their bodies are made to suit this inverted lifestyle. They don’t have trouble breathing while inverted and they can actually turn their head around completely so that they do not see things inverted. 

This plant predator is half blind, half deaf and spends most of its time sleeping in the trees. They have a rare condition called rod monochromacy which means they lack cone cells in their eyes.  All sloths are colour-blind and can only see poorly in dim light.  They are completely blind in bright daylight.

Sloths seem to enjoy having a swim and they are surprisingly skilled at this water sport.  Sloths can move three times faster in water than on land. They have been known to drop from the branches they are clinging to into rivers below to take a swim.

These are the sayings on the bookmark called Advice from a Sloth.

• Slow Down

• Hug a Tree

• Get Plenty of Rest

• Climb to New Heights

• Move at Your Own Pace

• Hang Loose

• Get a Grip!

Here are my comments about each of these sayings. 

• Slow Down - A sloth is the slowest animal in the world.  Of course they would advise the rest of us to slow down!  Slow down and smell the roses.  Don’t always be in such a hurry.

• Hug a Tree - When you actually hug a tree, the tree’s vibrational patterns have a healing, revitalizing effect which can help you feel more grounded. 

• Get Plenty of Rest - To get plenty of rest take time to relax. Do not work or do anything strenuous. 

• Climb to New Heights - Set high goals and keep moving forward and climb higher than ever before.

• Move at Your Own Pace - Living life at your own pace can make you feel less stressed and happier overall.  

• Hang Loose - Hang loose is a symbol of greeting, enthusiasm and good vibes. 

• Get a Grip! - Make an effort to behave more calmly.  

Have a great day everyone.  Slow down and move at your own pace.

# living life abundantly   # published author   # travelling tuesdays