The Wander Plush

"Sloths are being monitored under the Urban Sloth Project, a research initiative where we are studying the impact of urbanization and habitat disturbance on the lives, behavior, and activity of wild sloths in Costa Rica. This research will help us develop new conservation initiatives and improve our current ones!"

To learn more, visit our partner directly at slothconservation.org.

"We are using VHF collars that emit radio signals we can detect with a radio receiver. When the signal in the receiver is strong, it means we're close to the sloth! We manually take notes on the GPS points of the sloth. The sloth is usually high up in the canopy, and we have to make sure to visually confirm the collar and antenna on the sloth to be sure it is the one we're tracking."

To learn more, visit our partner directly at slothconservation.org.

"Absolutely not! VHF collars are really safe and scientists have been using these devices for years! The collars are also really light and do not interfere with the regular activities of the wild sloths.  The batteries of the collars can last up to 2 years. Once we fit the collar on the sloth, we set the sloth free and can monitor it for several months without the need to recapture the sloths to change batteries. They live their lives up in the trees while we track them on the ground."

To learn more, visit our partner directly at slothconservation.org.

You may have heard that sloths can hold their breath for upward of 40 minutes, surpassing even a dolphin’s time underwater without air, but it’s just a myth! Sloths can realistically hold their breath for fewer than 15 minutes, though their long forearms do make them excellent swimmers.

Sloths are folivores, meaning they’re specialized leaf-eaters! In true sloth fashion, it takes up to 30 days to digest a leaf, and they eat very small quantities each day. Three-fingered sloths will sometimes dine on seed pods in addition to leaves, like cacao pods, and two-fingered sloths may even throw some fruit into the mix. 

Somehow, baby sloths don’t have a dedicated name like calves, puppies, and kittens do! Scientists typically refer to them as “offspring,” “young,” and “baby.”

What does the sloth say? Mostly, nothing. This helps keep them safe from predators they can’t outrun. Sometimes, female three-fingered sloths will make a high-pitched scream when looking for a mate (that works, right?), or a squeal when in distress. Adult three-fingered sloths can also growl when threatened to scare off predators; two-fingered sloths may make a similar noise when angry. Baby sloths are the noisiest of all, calling out for Mom when they’re in distress (for example, after being separated or having fallen) so that she can come find them.

Wipe with damp sponge or cloth, using warm water and mild soap. Once dry, brush to restore the plush and proceed with snuggling.

Your plush had quite the long journey to get to you! If it appears squished from lack of legroom during shipping, give it a good fluff to help it return to its normal, cuddly shape. Still need help? Email us at support@myfahlo.com.