Sloth metabolism may make survival untenable under climate change scenarios.

ABSTRACT: Although climate change is predicted to have a substantial effect on the energetic requirements of organisms, the longer-term implications are often unclear. Sloths are limited by the rate at which they can acquire energy and are unable to regulate core body temperature (T_b) to the extent seen in most mammals. Therefore, the metabolic impacts of climate change on sloths are expected to be profound. Here we use indirect calorimetry to measure the oxygen consumption (VO₂) and T_b of highland and lowland two-fingered sloths (Choloepus hoffmanni) when exposed to a range of different ambient temperatures (T_a) (18 °C -34 °C), and additionally record changes in T_b and posture over several days in response to natural fluctuations in T

SUBMITTER: Cliffe RN 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11441404 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature