Question
Use the paragraph below to answer the question.
Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world. They are slow-moving mammals that spend most of their time hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. They have a special kind of fur that camouflages them from their predators, and an extra-long curved claw that helps them to hang on tightly to branches. Sloths are mostly nocturnal, sleeping during the day and becoming active at night, when they forage for food. They are expert swimmers and climbers, and can move twice as fast in the water as they do on land. Sloths eat a variety of leaves, buds, and fruits, and occasionally small insects. They have an incredibly slow metabolism, and it can take up to a month for them to digest their food. Sloths are solitary creatures, but you can sometimes find them sleeping in groups or cuddling with one another. While they may seem like lazy animals, they are actually very important to the rainforest ecosystem, spreading seeds, providing homes for other creatures, and helping to keep the trees healthy. Sloths are an amazing species, and we can all be thankful that they are still around.
In 3-4 sentences, identify and explain the evidence that the author uses to support the claim that “Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world.”
(4 points)
The evidence that the author uses to support the claim that "Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world" includes their slow-moving nature, hanging upside down in trees, special camouflaging fur, and extra-long curved claw that helps them hang on to branches. Additionally, the fact that they are mostly nocturnal and have the ability to swim and climb are further evidence of their unique characteristics and behaviors. Lastly, the author mentions their slow metabolism, ability to digest food over a month, and their importance in the rainforest ecosystem as evidence of their interesting qualities.
The evidence that the author uses to support the claim that "Sloths are some of the most interesting animals in the world" includes:
1. The description of their unique characteristics and behaviors, such as being slow-moving mammals that hang upside down in trees, having special fur for camouflage, and possessing an extra-long curved claw for gripping branches.
2. The mention of their nocturnal nature, expert swimming and climbing abilities, and their ability to move faster in water than on land.
3. The explanation of their dietary habits and incredibly slow metabolism, which takes up to a month to digest their food.
4. The statement that sloths are important to the rainforest ecosystem, as they spread seeds, provide homes for other creatures, and help keep the trees healthy.
These pieces of evidence showcase the various aspects of sloth behavior and physiology that make them interesting and unique creatures.