You’ve found the official list of the most frequently asked questions about sloths.
Do you have a new question? If so, click here to ask your question.
Sloths eat leaves, which are low in calories and nutrients. Sloths have a slow metabolism and a slow-moving lifestyle to conserve energy, but are unable to make a quick escape if a hungry predator happens by.
Sloths mostly eat plant leaves so they are classified as herbivores. However, they have been known to eat fruit, insects, bird eggs, and lizards on occasion.
Sloths are very cute and seemingly docile, but if threatened they can bite or use their long nails to inflict pain.
Sloths are most commonly found in the lowland rain forest areas of Central and South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Honduras, and Venezuela.
Sloths are mammals that are related to armadillos and anteaters but they look more like monkeys due to their long arms and shaggy fur.
Two of the six species of sloths are rated high on the list of endangered species. The pygmy three-toed sloth is “Critically Endangered” and the maned three-toed sloth is also considered “Vulnerable.” Loss of habitat from deforestation is the number one risk factor for sloths.
It is estimated that there are about 1,500 sloths in the world.
Only the Three-toed sloth has a short, stubby tail.
Sloths are actually very strong swimmers and can swim 3x as fast as they can walk. A sloth can hold its breath for as long as 40 minutes under water.
Sloths are found throughout Central America and northern South America.
Sloths mostly eat green leaves and seed pods, but will also eat some fruits. On occasion they’ve been known to eat insects and bird eggs.
Sloths poop about once a week. They prefer to climb down from their tree top canopy to the forest floor to take care of their business.