#703: Sloth

The Sloth lives life slowly. There are six species, divided into three-toed and two-toed. Like their relatives, the Anteaters, the Sloth has highly specialised claws. These act as hooks, and will hold him onto the tree branch, even if he is shot from below. The Sloth's diet constists mostly of leaves, which are low energy and are difficult to digest - hence one reason why he is noted for being somewhat lethargic. As much as two-thirds of his body weight can be undigested food - and this can take over a month for his stomach to process. His sluggish nature also permits him to avoid predation, since he is also well camouflaged. Once a week he descends his tree to defecate in the same spot, digging a hole and covering it afterwards.

Creature Feature #594: Pitta

The Pitta are a Family of Passerines found in tropical Australia and Asia. Terrestrial in nature, he spends his days foraging on the forest floor, feeding on invertebrates such as snails and insects. There are numerous species - this is a Malayan Banded Pitta - and most are brightly coloured. Despite this, they are actually extremely hard to see in the dim light of their rainforest home. 

Creature Feature #514: Noisy Pitta

The Noisy Pitta can be found in the tropical rainforests of Australasia and Indonesia. He is a bird of the forest floor, foraging for worms, insects and snails, as well as fruit. He will often make use of stones as anvils, using these to smash the snails against repeatedly, until the shell crack and disgorge the contents.  Despite his bright colouration, he is more often heard than seen with a distinctive three-note call. Nests are dome-shaed structures, constructed on the ground in a concealed location.