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A sloth is pulling itself up onto a tree branch.

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Final answer:

The subject concerns the study of arboreal mammals and their physical adaptations like prehensile tails, brachiation, and long arms, demonstrating how they have evolved to cope with a tree-dwelling lifestyle.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question refers to various attributes and behaviors of arboreal mammals, highlighting the physical adaptations that enable them to move efficiently in their tree-dwelling environments. For example, the use of a branch as a tool by a gorilla, spider monkeys with prehensile tails for grasping, and the specialized locomotion method called brachiation are all adaptations for life in the trees.

These adaptations include features such as very long arms for swinging from branch to branch and sticky pads on fingers to cling to tree trunks and branches. A gibbon, for instance, showcases modified limbs adapted for hanging from trees, and tarsiers have expanded digits for improved grasping capabilities. Moreover, the example of a child climbing a tree illustrates the challenge and skill involved in arboreal movement, demonstrating how certain traits can be advantageous for arboreal species. It is an observation of the incredible adaptations that have enabled arboreal species to develop such specialized modes of mobility.

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