Dallas World Aquarium Research

Though I have been to the Dallas World Aquarium before, I was unable to go on the class field trip. However, I did some research and learned some interesting facts about some of the organisms in the aquarium.

1. Three-toed sloths are named for the number of fingers they have, not for the number of toes; all sloths have three toes. A more appropriate name would be "three-fingered sloth."
2. Unlike most mammals, the three-toed sloth does not maintain a constant body temperature, so it is limited to warm climates.
3. Though black-footed penguins are protective of their offspring, they will not sacrifice their appetites for them; adult penguins will let their children starve before they starve themselves.
4. The dwarf caiman is one of the most common crocodilian species kept as a pet. However, due to their aggressive temperament, they are not the most suitable pets.
5. Antillean manatees have three or four nails on each flipper to help them hold their food.

Three-toed sloth

Black-footed penguin

Dwarf caiman

Antillean manatee