1. The sloth is the world’s slowest mammal.
2. Sloths sleep up to 20 hours per day, and are so sedentary that green algae grows on their fur. The presence of algae helps them camouflage themselves in the trees.

1. There are two types of sloth in Costa Rica; two-toed (Choloepus hoffmanni) and three-toed (Bradypus variegatus). You can tell which is which by counting the number of toes on the front feet. Also, three-toed sloths are generally cuter — they look like they are always smiling.

1. Sloths are incredible swimmers. Their specialty move is the doggie paddle.
2. Ancient ground sloths were some of the largest land mammals ever to walk the planet. They could weigh up to 4 metric tons and grow as big as modern day elephants. They used to inhabit the North America, and went extinct around 11,000 years ago.
3. Three-toed sloths are vegetarians. They can rotate their heads up to 300 degrees — like the girl from “The Exorcist.” This an adaptation that allows them to better see predators approaching.

1. Sloth poop is a mystery. Thanks to their slow metabolism, they only poop about once a week, and to do so they make a dangerous descent from the trees to the ground, where they are vulnerable to predators. The scientific community is puzzled as to why sloths don’t just poop from the treetops, where they are safe.
2. When female three-toed sloths are in heat, they shriek and scream. This helps them locate a suitable mate in the dense, leafy treetops.
3. A baby sloth stays close to its mother for up to a year. During infancy, a baby clings to its mother’s belly.

1. Sloths hang from the trees effortlessly. Their claws function like hooks, and they do not require any muscle power to remain suspended from the branches.
2. Bonus Fact: The real life actor Sloth from the Goonies also played in the NFL.

Photo Credits (except for the goonies pic): Genna Marie Robustelli of Tamarindo Family Photos

11 Fun Facts About The Sloths in Costa Rica

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Andrew Makarik

to@welovecostarica.com

Andrew Makarik is the main editor of WeLoveCostaRica, a fan of this sunny country. He is also a loving husband and a has a lovely daughter. By being a devoted family man and the biggest Costa Rica fan, he wants to make more people feel at home there. WeLoveCostaRica unites people and helps them find new home or a new travel destination. This website is a friendly community where everyone can find not only information, but also new friends and travel pals. Andrew is also passionate about IT and programming, so he himself maintains a friendly atmosphere in this cozy environment of WeLoveCostaRica.com.