Snuggly, sleepy baby sloth born at Denver Zoo

Denverites willing to brave the heat and visit the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance this summer may be able to sneak a peek at a new baby sloth snoozing and snuggling in the treetops of the Tropical Discovery exhibit.

The zoo’s newest addition was born June 19 to Linne’s two-toed sloth couple Charlotte and Elliot, their fifth baby at the zoo.

“Charlotte and her adorable new addition are thriving in their Tropical Discovery home and baby is strong, healthy and nursing like a pro,” zoo officials wrote in a post on Facebook.

Elliot moved to the Emerald Forest to give Charlotte and her baby space to acclimate. Charlotte’s last baby, Sloan, was born in April 2024.

Sloths have internal reproductive organs, so zoo staff will need to do a DNA test to determine the sex of the new baby. The pup’s name is also yet to be decided.

Sloths reproduce throughout the year and give birth to single young after 10 months, according to the DZCA. Newborns weight 10 to 13 ounces and measure 10 inches, and will stay close to mom for four or five weeks to nurse before starting to eat solid food.

Young sloths will move out and live on their own at nine moths and can live 30 to 40 years in captivity.

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