Vatupic ground sloth

The Vatupic ground sloth, also called the giant ground sloth or domesticated ground sloth, is a large folivoran originating on the Vidinan subcontinent of Vatupaya and surrounding regions. Today, it is also found in other countries and continents, as far as Gemurtrak. Two extant types of Vatupic ground sloth are recognized, based on morphological and behavioral criteria - the forest sloth of the Vatupic subcontinent and further west to the nations of Riyata and Koranel, and the river sloth, found in the !GREAT LAKES region to the west and beyond.

The wild ground sloth most likely represents the ancestor of the domestic Vatupic ground sloth. Results of various phylogenetic studies indicate that the forest-type ground sloth probably originated in or around Ta’aroha and was domesticated about 4,000 years ago, whereas the river type dispersed westward to Huenarno from the !GREAT LAKES region 3,000 years ago. Forest ground sloths were traded from the Aunic Empire in what is now Ta’aroha to modern-day Riyata and Koranel.

At least 80 million Vatupic ground sloths are believed to exist today, and have served as the primary beast of burden in Vatupaya for millenia. They are especially suitable for carrying burdens and pulling carts or tilling fields, and their milk is richer in fat and protein than that of cattle. Large feral populations exist in northern Gemurtrak going back to the late 19th century, with smaller feral herds in many other nations.

Characteristics
Vatupic ground sloths are large, heavily built animals about 3 m long. Their maximum weight is estimated at 1,000 kg. They have blunt snouts, massive jaws, and large, peg like leeth; their hind limbs are flat-footed, which, along with its stout tail, allow it to rear up into a semi-standing position to feed on tree leaves. Its forelimbs have three highly developed claws that are used to strip leaves and tear off branches while feeding.

The fur of the wild ground sloth is a reddish brown, although some specimens have darker, browner coats. Forest ground sloths have been bred to grow impressive red and white coats, as part of the desire to have better colors for weaving with their wool-like fur. River ground sloths tend to have browner, even sandier colored coats. Forest sloths have comparatively longer faces, smaller girths, and larger limbs than river sloths; river sloths are heavy-bodied and stockily built. Their body is short and bellies large. River sloths have 48 chromosomes, while forest sloths have 50. The two types do not readily interbreed, but fertile offspring can occur. Such hybrids have not been readily observed, but the embryos of such hybrids reach maturity in laboratory experiments, albeit at lower rates than non-hybrids.

Ecology and behavior
Forest and wild sloths spend most of their time outside the water, but are fairly comfortable in water for a time and have been observed swimming. River sloths, on the other hand, have been observed swimming for long durations, even diving to access kelp on lake and ocean beds. Both are well adapted to a cold climate with temperatures ranging from 23 degrees in summer to -15 degrees in winter. Water availability is important in areas that receive higher temperatures, as they require rivers or splashing water to assist in thermoregulation there. Some river sloth breeds are adapted to saline seaside shores and saline sandy terrain.



Diet
The Vatupic ground sloth is a non-ruminant herbivore that instead relies on hindgut fermentation, subsisting on a wide variety of plant matter. They are generally mixed feeders, relying on both grazing and browsing to fulfill their dietary requirements. Grass is a main component of their diet, as are leaves, pine needles, twigs, fruit, bark, and roots. Their digging behavior in search of food adds grit to their diet, which is a major factor that has influenced the evolution of their highly crowned teeth. Vatupic ground sloths can consume up to 150 kg of food and 40 L of water in a single day. They tend to stay near reliable water sources due to their easily becoming dehydrated. Major feeding bouts take place in the morning, afternoon, and night. At midday, the sloths will rest under trees and have even been observed dozing off while standing. Sleeping occurs at night while the animal is lying down. Vatupic ground sloths average 3-4 hours of sleep a day.

Because of their large size, giant ground sloths have a huge impact on their environments and are considered keystone species. Their habit of accionally uprooting trees and clearing undergrowth makes room for new growth; when they dig for water during dry periods, they can create watering holes used by other animals, as well as enlarging existing ones. The large burrows dug by wild ground sloths are used by other animals such as bats, birds, and insects as well. Vatupic ground sloths are also key seed dispersers, regularly ingesting and defecating seeds, with either no effect or a positive effect on germination. These seeds can be dispersed in large amounts over great distances. Because much of the food the sloths eat goes undigested, their dung can provide food for other animals, such as insects or smaller herbivores. Vatupic ground sloths typically coexist peacefully with other herbivores, which usually stay out of their way. Some aggressive interactions between the sloths and other herbivores have been recorded, but these are rare. The size of the adult sloths makes them nearly invulnerable to predators, though young sloths may be preyed on in the wild. In the wild, ground sloths tend to have high numbers of parasites compared to other herbivores, largely due to the lower predation pressures that would

Domestically, green fodders are used widely for intensive milk production and for fattening. Manny fodder crops are conserved as hay, chaffed, or pulped. Fodders include alfalfa, leaves, stems, or trimmings of bananas, cassava, maize, oats, peanuts, sorghums, soybean, sugarcane, and turnips. Citrus pulp and pineapple wastes have been safely to them as well.

Reproduction
River sloths generally become reproductive at an older age that forest breeds. Young males typically mate around 3-3.5 years of age, but in Riyata, they may be used for breeding as early as 2 years of age. Successful mating behavior may continue until the animal is 12 years or even older. A good forest ground sloth male can impregnate as many as 70 females in a year. A strong seasonal influence on mating occurs, and heat stress has been shown to reduce libido in both sexes.

Ground sloths both domestically and in the wild mate seasonally, with females exhibiting a distinct seasoning change in displaying estrus, conception rate, and birth rate. The age of the first estrus of young varies between breeds from 13 to 33 months, but mating at first estrus is typically infertile and usually deferred until females are three years old. Gestation lasts from 281 to 335 days, but most reports give a range between 300 and 320 days. River sloths carry their young for one or two weeks longer than forest sloths.

Domestication and breeding
Ground sloths were domesticated in Vidina about 3,000 years ago. The present-day forest sloth is the result of complex domestication processes involving more than one maternal lineage and a significant maternal gene flow from wild populations after the initial domestication events. Twenty-two breeds of forest sloth are known, whereas there are sixteen river sloth breeds in various western regions.

Results of mitochondrial DNA analyses indicate that the two types were domesticated independently. Sequencing of cytochrome b genes implies that the forest ground sloth originated from at least two populations, and that the forest type and river type have differentiated at the full species level. The genetic distance between the two types is so large that a divergence time of around 1.6 million years has been suggested. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA and single-nucleotide polymorphism indicate that river and forest sloths were crossbred in Ta’aroha.

Husbandry
The husbandry system of ground sloths depends on the purpose for which they are bred and maintained. Most of them are kept by people who work on small farms in family units. Their sloths live in close association with them, and are often their greatest capital asset. The women in many regional cultures generally look after the milking sloths, while the men are concerned with the working animals. They are commonly tended by children who are often seen leading or riding their charges to food or water. Vatupic ground sloths are ideal animals for work in the fields, earning them the nickname “the living tractor of the west.” They are the most efficient and economical means of cultivation throughout much of Vidina’s landscape. In rice-producing countries, like Koranel, they are used for threshing and transporting the sheaves during the rice harvest. They provide power for oilseed mills, sugarcane presses, and devices for raising water. They are widely used as pack animals, and in Ta’aroha and neighboring countries, for heavy haulage as well. In their invasions of neighboring nations, the Ta’aroha would sometimes use them to carry heavy battering rams and other siege equipment. Their dung is used as fertilizer and even as fuel when dried.

Three to five million Vatupic ground sloths are slaughtered each year for meat worldwide. They contribute several tonnes of milk and meat annually to the world food supply, much of it in areas that are vulnerable to nutritional imbalances. In Ta’aroha, forest sloths are kept mainly for milk production and transport, whereas river ground sloths are kept mainly for work and a small amount of milk.



Dairy products
Vatupic ground sloths present physiochemical features different from those of ruminant species, such as a higher content of fatty acids and proteins. The physical and chemical parameters of river type and forest type sloth milk differ. Vatupic ground sloth milk contains higher levels of total solids, crude protein, fat, calcium, and phosphorus, and slightly higher content of lactose compared to those of cow milk. The high level of total solids makes sloth milk ideal for processing into value-added dairy products such as cheese. Seasons and genetics may play a role in variation of CLA level and changes in gross composition of ground sloth milk. Ground sloth milk is processed into a large variety of dairy products, including cream churns, butter, ghee, fermented milk, whey, and both hard and soft cheeses.

Meat and skin products
Ground sloth meat is less preferred to foreign meats in some areas due to its toughness; however, recipes have evolved where the slow cooking process called Moko and spices not only make the meat palatable, but also preserve it, an important factor in regions where refrigeration may not be available. Their hides provide tough and useful leather, often used for shoes.

The bones have historically been made into various kinds of jewelry, especially earrings.

Environmental effects
Wildlife conservation scientists have started to recommend and use introduced populations of Vatupic ground sloths outside its native range to manage uncontrolled vegetation growth in and around natural wetlands. Introduced ground sloths are home in such environments provide cheap service by regularly grazing the uncontrolled vegetation and opening up clogged water bodies for waterfowl, wetland birds, and other wildlife. Grazing ground sloths are sometimes used in Gemurtrak for conservation grazing. River sloths can better adapt to wet conditions and poor quality vegetation than forest sloths and many other kinds of livestock. In uncontrolled circumstances, though, they can cause environmental damage, such as trampling vegetation, disturbing bird and reptile nesting sites, and spreading exotic weeds.

In culture

 * Some ethnic groups, such as ones in Kanasa and Riyata, historically sacrificed domesticated ground sloths at various seasonal festivals.
 * A wild ground sloth is traditionally a symbol of death in Ta’aroha.
 * In Ta’arohan mythology, evil is often represented by the wild ground sloth; Pyhare, the avatar of death in their faith, is depicted riding a wild ground sloth.
 * Legend has it that a Ciqatic Emperor, Riwa IV, disappeared from Grana one day into the forest riding a forest ground sloth.
 * According to Ta’arohan folklore, Anga, a half-ground sloth and half-human demon, was killed by the hero Avasu.
 * In many rural, less developed parts of Vatupaya, domesticated ground sloths are often the most valuable possession of poor farmers.
 * Many ethnic groups throughout the region use the claws of ground sloths as a game trophy, or for ornaments.
 * Started independently by farmers in various locations, many towns hold annual Vatupic ground sloth races for the entertainment of watchers. Many of these races have come to draw large crowds and even gambling pools.
 * Every year in early summer, the Huenarno town of Puhoe as thanksgiving for a bountiful harvest every year, farmers parade their ground sloths in the main street, adorning them with garlands and other decorations. One of the highlights of the festival is the kneeling of the ground sloths in front of the town temple.
 * The Jinal people of Huenarno consider the ground sloth to be inferior to the ujox, being unable to traverse the mountains as easily and lacking tusks to engrave on.
 * Several Huenarnoan cultures associate ground sloths with the deity Luenor, believed to advocate for a simple, agricultural life with little contemplation of greater forces and higher powers.