International Sloth Day

International Sloth Day takes place on the third Thursday of October, in 2022 it falls on October 20th. Sloths are mammals famous for their slowness and laziness, and they inhabit the tropical forests of South and Central America. There are two main types of sloths – three-toed and two-toed. Outwardly, although they look like a monkey, their closest relatives are armadillos and anteaters.

History

International Sloth Day was created by the AIUNAU Foundation, which is dedicated to the conservation and restoration of Colombia’s wildlife. AIUNAU started working with sloths in 1996. Sloths are slow-moving creatures, traveling about 40 yards a day as they eat leaves and branches. They also have a very low metabolic rate, which is why they can sleep for up to 15-20 hours a day, but they are also excellent swimmers.

Unfortunately, when sloths leave the protection of their rainforest habitats and venture into open spaces, they become vulnerable to predators. This is due to the fact that their limbs are designed for hanging and grasping, not for supporting their weight. For comparison, the muscles of the sloth make up only 25-30% of its total body weight, while in other mammals they compose 40-45%.

Interesting facts

• The oldest known sloth is named Paula and lives in a German zoo – she is 53 years old.
• Sloths spend most of their lives in trees.
• Sloth fur is home to a unique ecosystem of beetles, moths and algae, which gives the fur its characteristic green hue and helps them to blend in with the trees.
• Sloths are able to turn their head almost 360 degrees.

How to take part

On International Sloth Day, take some time to relax and enjoy the day. Go for a walk around the neighborhood, explore new places, and do your favorite activities. You can also make a sloth-themed decorations or toy using any materials you can find at home. There are plenty of instructions for sloth-themed crafts available online. Finally, you can also watch movies or shows about sloths like “Ice Age”.

When is International Sloth Day celebrated in 2023?

International Sloth Day is observed on the third Thursday of October each year.

Observations