Ask an Educator about Sloths
How many hours a day do sloths sleep?
Sloths spend over 20 hours a day sleeping.
What is the lifespan of a sloth?
Sloths live an average lifespan of about 10 years in the wild, but in managed care like Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, they may live until their twenties. Two-toed sloth, Harry, is estimated to be in his late forties, making him one of the oldest sloths in the world.
Why do sloths move so slowly?
Sloths move slowly as a form of camouflage. Moss and algae grow on their coat, giving them the perfect protection from predators.
What is a sloth’s diet?
Sloths eat a plant-based diet. Our sloths here at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay have a perfectly tailored diet created by Dr. Heidi Bissell. Dr. Heidi is a zoo nutritionist (one of 20 in the entire world!) who determines what an animal should eat in managed care in comparison to what they eat in the wild.