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5 MOTHS, LARVAE, AND
Number of feet (1.5 m) SLOTH POOP
per minute a sloth can Some scientists believe sloth
move on the ground.
waste helps moths that live in the
• Sloths move on the sloth’s fur. When the sloth climbs
ground by dragging their down the tree, the moths fly out
bodies. and lay their eggs in the poop.
• Sloths must watch out
for predators, such as The larvae eat the waste, create
jaguars and ocelots. cocoons, and turn into moths.
• The only way sloths can Then they fly into the trees to live
defend themselves is by in the fur of a sloth. The moths
clawing and biting. fertilize the algae in the sloth’s fur,
and more algae grows.
The trip is unsafe, and it uses
up a lot of energy. Some Others think sloth poop helps
people think it is a way for a sloth fertilize the trees.
to spread its scent to other sloths.
Sloths drag themselves
along the ground using 17
their claws.
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