Problem:
I'm under the impression that most sloths exhibit this behavior, but why?
They are slow moving and so have no way of escaping from predators when on the ground. Not to mention the energy they expire to break from their normally sedentary lifestyle.
They may only have to defecate and urinate once a week, but it strikes me as an unnecessary risk.
Question: Why not let gravity do all the hard work? Please describe your answer.