For the first time in the zoo’s history, after an approximately 10 month long pregnancy, a two-toed sloth has been born at Zoo Miami! The birth occurred in the afternoon of July 16, 2019 at approximately 3:15PM. The 2 year 9 month old mother’s name is “Marge” and she arrived at Zoo Miami in October of 2016 from a private breeder. This is her first baby. The first time father’s name is Montey and he also arrived at the zoo in October of 2016 from the same private breeder and is a month older than Marge.
Sloths are arboreal mammals that are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Their popularity soared after the hit movie “Zootopia,” that featured a sloth as one of its stars. They are considered one of the slowest animals on earth moving only about 6 feet a minute on the ground and slightly faster in the trees. However, they are excellent swimmers! They feed primarily on the leaves of Cecropia trees but will also eat a variety of other vegetation as well as fruits and vegetables under human care. They only come down to the forest floor about once a week to defecate and urinate. Though not endangered, their populations are threatened by development and pressures from the pet trade.
Video by: Ron Magill
