Sloths of Costa Rica

Everyone loves Sloths

Cute smiling faces and adorable laziness of Sloths attract the tourists to the tropical forests from all over the world. And with an amazing environment and wildlife protection system, Costa Rica has an abundance of all kinds of natural beauty. Tourists and professional naturalists from all over the world tend to visit Costa Rica to see the sloths with naked eyes and capture their sluggish attractiveness through camera lenses.

Species of Sloths

Sloths are categorized into two major groups, the three-toed sloths and the two-toed sloths. A total of six species of sloths have been identified in the world. The tropical environment of Costa Rica is home to two of these species, naming the Hoffman’s two-toed sloths, and the diurnal Brown-throated sloth.

Hoffman’s two-toed sloths

As shown by the name, two-toed sloths are distinguished by two toes in the front feet. Scientifically named as Choloepus Hoffmanni, these sloths are nocturnal and thus its extremely difficult to see them in the daylight. If by chance, you catch them during the day, then they will surely be sleeping. Being nocturnal makes them much more adorable and attractive for the tourists. So, while on vacations in Costa Rica, keep your camera ready to capture their picture instantaneously. In the night, these sloths love to hang on the branches of the tall trees upside down.

Diurnal Brown-throated sloth

Scientifically named as Bradypus variegatus, this species is the most commonly found species of three-toed sloths all over the world. These sloths are relatively more active than the Hoffman’s sloth and are also smaller in size.

Where to See Sloths in Costa Rica?

Costa Rica provides an exceptional environment to the sloths, keeping them freely moving within an exotic natural ambiance. Throughout Costa Rica, there are a number of places where you can spot sloths. To be very specific, go along the Pacific coastline, and the chances of coming across the wildlife will increase. These are the prime locations to find sloths and other wildlife of Costa Rica. Just look up the tall trees, and you’ll definitely find hanging and napping sloths there.

Why Are the Sloths That Lazy?

Well, we all love their laziness, but what makes them that slow? Interestingly, these are the slowest mammals present, and this achievement is because of their slowest digestion process. To process meal completely, the sloths may require at least 14 days. And thus to survive, they conserve energy by being slow.

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