Chester Zoo is home to the Linne’s Two-toed Sloth (Choloepus didactylus), a fascinating species native to the tropical rainforests of South America. These sloths are herbivores, consuming a diet primarily composed of leaves, buds, and tender shoots. They have a unique adaptation to their low-energy diet, possessing a multi-chambered stomach to aid in digestion, which can take up to three weeks.

Species Overview

The Linne’s Two-toed Sloth is a unique species that has several distinctive features:

• Diet: As herbivores, they primarily consume leaves, buds, and tender shoots.
• Digestion: They have a multi-chambered stomach that allows them to digest their low-energy diet, which can take up to three weeks.
• Sleep: Sloths are known for their slow movement and long sleep duration, up to 15 hours a day, to conserve energy.

Habitat and Behavior

Two-toed sloths are arboreal creatures, spending most of their lives hanging upside down from trees. They have a powerful grip and a curved spine, which helps them live in this orientation. Sloths only descend from trees to defecate, which happens about once a week.

Arboreal Lifestyle

• Sloths spend the majority of their lives hanging upside down from trees.
• They have a powerful grip and a curved spine that allows them to live in this orientation.
• Sloths only come down from the trees to defecate, which happens about once a week.

Slow Movement

• Sloths move very slowly, taking three to four seconds to move a single limb.
• This slow movement is an adaptation to their low-energy diet and helps them conserve energy.

Adoption and Conservation

Adopting a two-toed sloth at Chester Zoo supports vital conservation work and makes a difference in the lives of these unique creatures. Adoptions start from £45 for a one-off payment for the whole year, with the option to renew annually. The adoption includes a welcome pack, updates on the sloth, and the knowledge that your contribution is funding conservation efforts both at the zoo and in the wild.

Adoption Benefits

• Adoptions start from £45 for a one-off payment for the whole year, with the option to renew annually.
• The adoption includes a welcome pack and updates on the sloth.
• Your contribution helps fund conservation efforts both at the zoo and in the wild.

Interesting Facts

Here are some fascinating facts about the two-toed sloths at Chester Zoo:

• When they have eaten well, the contents of a sloth’s stomach can make up about two-thirds of its body weight.
• Sloths move very slowly, taking three to four seconds to move a single limb.
• The two-toed sloth does everything while hanging upside down from trees, including eating, sleeping, mating, and even giving birth.

Visiting Chester Zoo Sloths

Chester Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:00 pm. Admission costs £24.00 for adults, £20.00 for children (3-17 years), and £21.00 for concessions. Advance booking is recommended to guarantee entry and avoid queues.

Visitor Information

• Chester Zoo is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, with last entry at 4:00 pm.
• Admission costs £24.00 for adults, £20.00 for children (3-17 years), and £21.00 for concessions.
• Advance booking is recommended to guarantee entry and avoid queues.

References:
– Chester Zoo. (n.d.). Visitor Information. Retrieved from https://www.chesterzoo.org/plan-your-visit/visitor-information
– Chester Zoo. (n.d.). Two toed sloth. Retrieved from https://www.chesterzoo.org/our-zoo/animals/two-toed-sloth/
– Chester Zoo. (n.d.). ANIMAL FACT FILE – Linne’s Two-Toed Sloth. Retrieved from https://www.chesterzoo.org/schools/resources/animal-fact-file-linnes-two-toed-sloth/
– Chester Zoo. (n.d.). Adopt a two-toed sloth. Retrieved from https://www.chesterzoo.org/adopt-a-two-toed-sloth/
– Chester Zoo. (n.d.). Schools Resources. Retrieved from https://www.chesterzoo.org/schools/resources/