Home > Miscellaneous Resources > Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Over the years we have received emails with questions not necessarily covered in our regular website text. We posed many of these questions to experts in the area of sloths and received these answers.
Why are sloths important?
All life on Earth is connected in an extremely complex web of interdependence. Sometimes the removal of one species from this system can have an unexpected - and negative - impact on other species. Sloths are no exception. In fact, some species of insects are dependent on the existence of the sloth for survival.
Do sloths make good pets?
By all accounts, Choloepus tends to be fairly aggressive; they are not recommended as domestic pets. The smaller Bradypus is less aggressive, and some have been domesticated by exotic animal owners. However, sloths are wild animals and it is not recommended to remove them from where they are most comfortable: the tropical rainforest.
Are sloths illegal to own in the United States?
Permits and regulations change by state and even by county in the United States. Sloths would probably be considered an exotic animal in most locations; one would probably need to contact their local county government for permit information.
What do you feed a sloth in captivity?
Zoos usually have suggested lists of foods for various species in captivity. Food sources can be anything as simple as fruits and vegetables (grapes, lettuce) to manufactured foods by companies such as Mazuri and ZuPreem. Sloths born and raised in captivity usually acquire "tastes" for specific foods, just as they do in the wild.
What is being done to save the sloth?
The biggest threat to sloths is the loss of its natural habitat. Non-profit organizations such as the Rainforest Action Network are working specifically to preserve the rainforest ecosystem. Other organizations such as the Amazon Institute are actively promoting the preservation of sloths. Almost any organization working to preserve the natural ecosystems of South and Central America invite others to join in their work; visit their websites for more information.