The Nose as the Center of the Universe

A sloth’s nose is it’s primary navigation system.  In a sea of tropical green, searching for tasty leaves with eyes is not going to be very productive.  Sloths are fairly short-sighted and do not have eyes that are developed for adjusting the lens to see distances.  A sloth can even retract its eyes into its eye sockets!  Sloth pupils usually stay small, even at night.

Instead, a sloth uses its nose.  The sloth basks, hanging easily from the trees, and immerses itself in a constant flow of scent wafting through the jungle.  It tests out every scent and heads off in the direction of the most delicious one…usually a tasty Cecropia tree.  Can you smell your way to your next dinner?