Sloth
Sloths are perhaps the most recognised and loved Central and South American animals, but despite their renown and popularity as cartoon characters, toys and memes, they are not well understood. This book offers a colourful, richly illustrated and wide-ranging account of the biological and cultural history of these fascinating mammals. Alan Rauch explores sloths' gigantic prehistoric ancestors and their evolution into the lethargic, green-hued creatures that live and survive in forest canopies today. From the tale of how sloths were named after a deadly sin to their current status as unflappable icons of a stress-free lifestyle, Sloth shows how fascinating, engaging and inspiring these animals are.
Alan Rauch is professor of English at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.