A SLOTH’S
Anita Ganeri
Sloth world
The best place to see sloths is in the wild. So, you’ll need to head for Central and South America. Here’s a handy map of where to go.
= sloths!
Chapter 1
Meet a sloth
Hi, my name’s Anna, and I LOVE SLOTHS. They’re my favourite animals ever. I work as a naturalist in Costa Rica, where I get to study them all day long. I’m very lucky. It’s the best job in the world! Today, we’re going sloth-watching in the rainforest. But first, I need to check that
in the rainforest. I need to check that you’ve come well prepared.
Sloth watch checklist
What you will need:
Binoculars – sloths can be hard to spot because their green-brown fur blends in with the trees. So, it’s easy to think you’ve seen a sloth when you’re actually watching a big clump of leaves. We’ve all done that, even me!
Long trousers – it’s going to be hot and sticky in the rainforest but don’t wear shorts and a T-shirt. You’ll be eaten alive by mosquitoes. Make sure you’ve got long trousers and long-sleeved tops. And don’t forget your mosquito spray. Trust me, you don’t want to have itchy bites for the rest of your trip!
Proper shoes – like walking boots or trainers, not sandals. There may be venomous snakes about, and closed shoes protect you better from bites.
Water bottle – you’ll sweat a lot in the rainforest so make sure your water bottle is full. You need to drink plenty, as otherwise, you might start feeling ill.
Patience – you’re going to need lots and lots of this. Sloths don’t like to hurry so you could be hanging around for a while before one appears.
First-time sloths
Local people in Central and South America have known about sloths for thousands of years. But when explorers from Europe first came across sloths in the 16th century, they were astonished. They had never seen anything like sloths, with their unusual looks and their very s..l..o..w movements. Later, scientists gave these creatures the name “sloth”, a word which means laziness. Sadly, the name stuck, which is really unfair on sloths. They might not be speedy movers but they’re always busy.
Come on a trip to the rainforest! Take a look into the fascinating lives of sloths!
