Did you know that sloths spend most of their lives in trees? That’s why the Edmonton Valley Zoo is thrilled to announce a new lush, leafy, and tropical retreat for our favourite slow movers!
Nestled in Saito Centre, the new sloth habitat features a dense canopy of trees, vines, and climbing structures. After moving into their luxurious new pad on February 10, our resident two-toed sloths have been busy settling in, exploring, and—well—sleeping!
The space is fully equipped, containing solar tubes and ultraviolet lighting that mimics sunlight in the forest, allowing BB Cop and Luna to bask in (or shelter from) the light whenever they like. Thanks to our friends at Muttart Conservatory and Salisbury Greenhouse, we’ve also included live plants and a built-in misting system to regulate the habitat’s humidity, keeping things perfect for our arboreal creatures.
Sloths are native to the rainforests of Central and South America, where they spend most of their time hanging in trees, moving very little. With that in mind, the new habitat provides ample vertical space, allowing these creatures to easily move from tree to tree, just as they would in the wild. We also kept our guests in mind throughout the design process; visitors will be able to experience BB Cop and Luna in a brand-new light, with clearer views to witness all their cuteness up close. All of us at the Edmonton Valley Zoo are incredibly proud of this development, and can’t wait to welcome everyone to learn more about the beauty of sloths.
Sloths are fascinating creatures known for their relaxed pace of life. These adorable animals may be famous for their slow movements but are perfectly capable of scaling tall structures and hanging from sturdy branches. This is due to their long claws, typically ranging from an impressive eight to ten centimetres.
Trees are suitable homes for sloths for many reasons, but primarily because their leisurely lifestyles run the risk of encountering predators on the ground. To avoid threats, the two-toed sloth camouflages with tree bark and foliage, allowing them to blend among the branches and stealthily hide. While living high in the sky provides protection, trees provide additional benefits well beyond their security. Sloths are multitaskers, and benefit from the resourcefulness of treetops. While living in the trees sloths can eat delicious leaves, reproduce with mates, and birth their offspring, all without stepping foot on the ground. Sloths typically only leave their homes for bathroom breaks, which can be as infrequently as once per week.
Unfortunately, deforestation continues to be a major threat to sloths in the wild, eradicating their habitats and food sources, and exposing them to predators. Here at the Edmonton Valley Zoo, we are committed to conservation efforts that protect wildlife and the environment. As well, our Conservation Cafe proudly serves bird-friendly coffee, which is grown in a sustainable way that helps maintain sloth habitat—making the coffee sloth—friendly too!
For an even more personal experience, the Valley Zoo Development Society will soon be adding exclusive sloth encounters behind the scenes through their Zoo Builders program! Visitors will be able Get Closer to our sloths while learning more from the experts about sloths’ fascinating behaviors and care needs. Sign up for the newsletter, to get updates on when these packages will be available.
The new sloth habitat is now open to the public, and we encourage all visitors to come by and witness these amazing creatures in their new, spacious, and serene home. With the lush surroundings and peaceful atmosphere, it’s the perfect way to escape the cold, and the hustle and bustle to unwind with one of the world’s most laid-back animals.
We can’t wait for you to see our sloths hang out in their new habitat, one slow move at a time!
