It's hard enough to provide proper care for an adult sloth but with a baby sloth, you'll find yourself needing to bottle feed and hand feed your sloth regularly if they're under one year of age. Zoo keepers report that one single feeding can take up a lot of time as everything with sloths is slow and you'll need to do this four times a day or every two hours with an infant.
You'll also need to work to acclimate the baby to captivity with the added stress of not having a mother which can lead to further behavior problems and a weakened immune system. Baby sloths cling to their mothers and rely on them for their care, and infants will have a difficult time thriving without one. If you are truly prepared to commit to caring for a sloth, the legality of owning a sloth, and finding a reputable resource to get one, will be the final determining factors in the decision to own one.
There are many county, state, and federal regulations on exotic pet ownership. Some states make it completely illegal to own an exotic pet, while others require permits or licenses. Before you get your pet sloth, make sure you contact the following:. Don't forget to contact your local Animal Control. They will be able to help you with local laws, requirements and permits specific to your county or town. There are not many legal sloth-breeding establishments. The likelihood of indirectly helping the illegal sloth trade is high as it's impossible to tell if the sloth you are getting was obtained illegally.
In general, sloths do not make good pets due to their sensitive stomachs, specialized diet, hard-to-find veterinary care, and their need for a warm, humid habitat with plenty of high branches or hammocks from which to sleep, eat, and hang out.
If you are just dazzled by their cuteness, consider joining the Sloth Appreciation Society instead. Are Sloths Dangerous? Do Sloths Bite? A More Docile Sloth Breed Many people prefer three-toed sloths, which have a more docile personality ; however, according to National Geographic , three-toed sloths do not generally do well in captivity. Sloth Habitat Owning a sloth requires significant space dedicated to it. Ideal Sloth Enclosure Consequently, any enclosure must have ample space and lots of trees, branches, or ropes for the animal to hang on.
An ideal enclosure would be a walk-in aviary or solarium, with either fake or real trees including leaves , ropes, and other things on which to climb. An added benefit to such an enclosure is the ability to control temperature and humidity. Sloths are rainforest animals , so they need enclosures that are warm and humid. While states like Nevada and Texas have extremely lenient rules about exotic pet ownership , the Golden State is known for its strict regulations relating to game and wildlife.
In fact, after Hawaii, which is probably the strictest state in the nation when it comes to pet ownership, California is a close second. When you think about it, it makes sense that California, with its crowded cities and fragile habitat, would have strict laws about exotic pets.
One animal that is clearly restricted is the sloth. However, whereas many animals are restricted because of the threat they pose either to the natural wildlife of the state, agriculture, or the public at large, sloths are deemed illegal for another reason: to prevent the depletion of wild populations. Native to Central America and northern South America, several different types of sloths, including the Maned Sloth and the Pygmy Sloth are endangered species.
Owning either species, or any sloth for that matter, in addition to being detrimental to the sloth itself, could potentially hurt sloth populations in their natural habitat. If you are caught owning a pet sloth or any other exotic animal that is restricted without the proper permits and documentation, you could face stiff fines and even jail time.
Properly caring for a sloth also requires obtaining special food that can be expensive and difficult to find. Suitable food can sometimes be purchased from zoos or zookeeping resources, but this is not always the case. Additionally, some people may be too squeamish to feed the pet its proper diet, which may include insects. Two-toed sloths appear to be less specialized in their diet and will eat a variety of vegetable matter, but it is important for owners to ensure that they receive enough of all the trace nutrients they require.
Anyone considering keeping a sloth as a pet should seek expert advice applicable to the particular species. Before considering keeping this animal as a pet, it is essential to check out any legal requirements. These vary from country to country and, in the US, from state to state.
In some countries and some states, it may simply be illegal. Keeping a sloth under these circumstances could result in a large fine or even imprisonment, as well as confiscation of the animal. Kelly Ferguson. Please enter the following code:.
In captivity, they need plenty of trees or structures to spend their day hanging from. They are not able to walk on the ground since they have claws at the ends of their arms and legs and no hands or feet. They will drag their legs if moving along the ground. Keep them in a secured area for their protection from other pets and people. Position climbing logs, poles, branches for climbing within reach of each other. Sloths do not jump from tree to tree like lemurs and monkeys.
A sloth's natural habitat is the rainforests of Central and South America where it is very hot and very humid. In captivity, they need this same kind of humidity and temperature. A habitat can be difficult to replicate if you do not provide a small enclosed room at least 8-feet cube that allows you to control the environment.
Sloths that remain too cold for too long will experience a drop in body temperature, and their digestive system will shut down. You can take your sloth out of its makeshift rainforest-like room for short periods, but it must go back to its room to sleep. One of the hardest parts of owning an exotic pet like a sloth is trying to replicate its natural diet in captivity.
Sloths eat leaves, mainly leaves found on the trees of Central and South America. They sleep about 20 hours a day and usually forage for food at night. Their metabolism is so slow that it can take up to three weeks or one month to digest food. They pee and poop about once a week. Offer food every night. In addition to the pellets, offer lettuces, dandelion greens, carrots, apples, green beans, sweet potatoes, and an occasional grape as a treat.
You cannot feed leaves off the trees in your backyard to your pet sloth. Not all leaves are equal and always avoid leaves with pesticides or chemicals on them. In the wild, sloths get their water from dew on leaves or water contained in their food. In captivity, secure water and feeding bowl high up in the enclosure as well as on the ground.
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