Reexamine the sloth and anteater What similarities did you f

Re-examine the sloth and anteater. What similarities did you find between the forelimbs of the sloth and anteater? Do you think that these structural similarities in 12a indicate any behavioral similarities (i.e., think about how these animals use their forelimbs for feeding or movement)? Explain your reasoning.

Solution

12.a)They both have large,slender,curved claws and powerful forelimbs for digging are common xenarthran traits.They possess extra articulations between their vertebrae,which has given them their official scientific group name,Xenarthra.

12b)Anteaters:
They use their large,curved foreclaws to tear open ant and termite mounds and for defense.Their fore claws are so large that they need to walk of their knuckles.If threatened,they rear up on their hind legs and try to rip their opponent with their claws.
Sloth:
Strong arms with hooked claws can be just as useful for climbing through the trees as they are for digging on the ground.They rarely descent to the ground as they can only just stand,but cannot walk. They drag themselves along with their claws and the limbs are adapted for suspending the body.