Can I Take Care Of A Sloth As A Pet?

Are you familiar with the regulation in your state about owning a sloth?

Are you aware that sloths are expensive pets?

Do you mind having an animal that you won't be able to interact with much?

Can you provide a secure enclosure with lots of trees or structures for climbing?

Can you provide a tropical atmosphere of about 90 to 100 Fahrenheit with 80 to 90% humidity in their enclosure?

Can you provide food like Marion Leaf Eater pellet food or Mazuri High Fiber Sticks daily?

Do you have an exotics veterinarian that can treat sloths?

As of 2019, it was legal to own a two-toed pet sloth in Florida (with a permit), Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New York, North Carolina, South Dakota (with health certificate), and Texas. Other states may allow sloths, but their state laws do not explicitly state it. Other states may issue permits to own a pet sloth, but that will only be for the pet owner at one address. Contact your state and local officials to verify if it is legal for you to own, board, or transport a two-toed sloth where you live.

Sloths are costly animals typically priced around $6,000 up to $10,000 for a captive-bred baby. If this will be your first sloth, you should not look for anything other than a captive-bred baby. Steer clear of adult sloths as they are usually unsocialized or may be wild-caught. Both do not do well in captivity.

Sloths are wild animals and are not domesticated. They do not like being petted, groomed, or bathed. Unlike most other animals, they do not show obvious external signs of stress. Instead, their natural response to fear or danger is to remain still. As a result, it can be difficult to tell when a sloth is scared or stressed. However, if it does feel threatened, it will use its sharp claws and teeth and can cause serious injury.

In the wild, two-toed sloths spend all their time in tall trees. In captivity, they need plenty of trees or structures to spend their day hanging from. They are not able to walk on the ground since they have claws at the ends of their arms and legs and no hands or feet. They will drag their legs if moving along the ground. You'll need to keep them in a secured area for their protection from other pets and people.

People use heaters and humidifiers to recreate a tropical atmosphere of about 90 to 100 Fahrenheit with 80 to 90% humidity. Sloths that remain too cold for too long will experience a drop in body temperature, and their digestive system will shut down.

One of the hardest parts of owning an exotic pet like a sloth is trying to replicate its natural diet in captivity. Sloths eat leaves, mainly leaves found on the trees of Central and South America. They can eat a leaf eater food, such as Marion Leaf Eater pellet food or Mazuri High Fiber Sticks, which zoos use to feed their sloths. In addition to the pellets, they will welcome lettuces, dandelion greens, carrots, apples, green beans, sweet potatoes, and an occasional grape as a treat. You cannot feed leaves off the trees in your backyard to your pet sloth.

You can take care of a two-toed sloth as a pet!

You will need to find an exotics vet in your area who will treat your sloth. Sloths in captivity are susceptible to nutritional issues, digestive problems, respiratory problems, and physical injuries. Dietary issues are the most prevalent issue since it is quite challenging to replicate a sloth's natural diet in captivity.