International Sloth Day 2023: Date, History, Activities, Facts about Sloths

International Sloth Day is observed on the third Saturday of October, which will occur on October 21 this year. Slow-moving mammals that are commonly found in Central and South America. Two-toed and three-toed sloths are the two main categories. Although sloths resemble a type of furry bear or primate, anteaters and armadillos are their closest relatives.

The background of International Slot Machine Day

A foundation in Columbia dedicated to the preservation and rehabilitation of wildlife founded this international holiday. AIUNAU began working with sloths in 1996 and has been advocating for their cause ever since. According to AIUNAU, sloths can teach us respect, tenderness, and happiness.

The habitat of sloths is the tropical rain forest. They cover approximately 40 feet per day while consuming leaves and branches. The metabolic rate of sloths is exceptionally low, and they spend 15 to 20 hours per day napping. Additionally, these long-armed creatures are superb swimmers. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), there are two varieties and six species of sloths: two-toed and three-toed.

Three-toed pygmy sloth
The maned sloth
Pale-throated lethargy
The brown-throated sluggard
Linnaeus’ bipedal sloth
The bipedal sloth of Hoffman

Their health is dependent on our threatened tropical rainforests. The WWF collaborates with communities, governments, and businesses to promote sustainable forest management. Without them, sloths would be deprived of shelter and sustenance.

Unfortunately, when sloths occasionally venture to the forest floor, they are defenceless against predators. This is largely because their limbs are only adapted for hanging and grasping, not for supporting their weight. 25 to 30 percent of their total body weight consists of muscle, compared to 40 to 45 percent for other mammals.

Despite the fact that sloths do not make excellent pets, animal traffickers represent yet another threat.

International Sloth Day Activities

Make sluggish creations

Create your own sloth ornaments! You can use various materials, including felt fabric and paper plates. You can create a stuffed sloth for a friend or an activity for children. You can discover additional sloth cut-out instructions online or in library books.

Follow the sloth’s life instructions

If ever there was a day to take it easy, today is that day! Relax at home or appreciate your surroundings by travelling to previously unvisited locations. This can be accomplished by strolling through a park, indulging in your favourite foods, and engaging in pastimes.

Observe films with sloths

Celebrate National Sloth Day by viewing sloth-themed films for one hour. Included on our list are “Zootopia,” “The Croods,” and any “Ice Age” film!

5 FACTS REGARDING THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF A SLOTH

As a result of their sluggish metabolic rate, sloths typically only defecate once per week.

The sloth is an arboreal animal, which means it spends the majority of its life in trees.

The fur of a sloth is home to a vast ecosystem of moths, insects, and algae, which taints the fur green and serves as camouflage in the trees.

Sloths with three toes can spin their heads nearly 360 degrees.

Sloths can live anywhere from 10 to 30 years if they evade potential predators and captors!

INTERNATIONAL SLOTH DAY DATES