Sloths
A Celebration of the World's Most Maligned Mammal
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- $12.99
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Discover the surprisingly captivating world of sloths, from their evolutionary history to their modern-day conservation.
For years, sloths have been misunderstood and even maligned. But thanks to viral videos and dedicated research, these creatures are finally getting the appreciation they deserve. William Hartston unveils the truth behind sloth behavior, revealing their fascinating history and unique adaptations.
Explore the sloth's evolutionary journey, from prehistoric giants to modern tree-dwellers.Uncover the secrets of their slow-motion lifestyle and energy-efficient adaptations.Learn about ongoing conservation efforts to protect these amazing animals.
Perfect for animal lovers and nature enthusiasts, Sloths offers a fresh perspective on one of the world's most endearing mammals. Prepare to be captivated by the calm, quiet, and introspective world of sloths.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Inspired by a YouTube video, Harston (A Brief History of Puzzles), a columnist for the U.K.'s Daily Express, resolved to learn more about sloths, and in this fast-paced, fact-filled book, he provides readers with his findings. Harston covers topics that range from sloth anatomy and reproduction to their appearances in myth and recent resurgence in pop culture. Replete with the energy and excitement of a new-found enthusiasm, the book relates a wide variety of informational nuggets, such as sloth eating habits determined by their four-chambered stomach and month-long digestive process and their unusual, and still mysterious, injury-recovery abilities. Harston also sets the record straight on sloths' proverbial "laziness," reporting scientists have found that they are merely energy-efficient. Quotations featuring sloths are interspersed throughout, but since these often perpetuate the mistaken conflation of the attribute of slothfulness with the animal in question (Harrison Ford: "The kindest word to describe my performance in school was Sloth"), these tend to seem like space fillers. While far from definitive, this zippy primer has a contagious sense of wonder.
