More from Radio 4.

So, why do sloths fall out of trees?

Unlike most mammals, sloths have sacrificed the ability to control their body temperature in order to save energy.

Yes, sloths can fall from trees, this is undeniable, but this is not due to the fact that they confuse their arms with branches, a sloth can fall from a branch for various reasons, the branch can break, it can bend, it can fall off.

Do sloths ever leave the trees?

Sloths spend a majority of their time up in the canopy, coming down only one time per week to relieve themselves. The trees provide a natural protection from predators such as jaguars and eagles; it’s safer for sloths to remain motionless and camouflaged off the ground.