INDIANAPOLIS — Move over, pandas and koalas. Slowly but surely, here comes the sloth, the hottest new animal fad. A quick internet tour of the sloth-related merchandise reveals sloth socks, sloth jewelry, sloth umbrellas, sloth coffee mugs, sloth sheets, sloth band aids and sloth plant hangers.
And now, sloths — live and in person — have found a home at the Indianapolis Zoo.
The sloths, five in all, will be housed in a new area of the zoo called the MISTery Park. Located where the Splash Park used to be, the MISTery Park loops through lush, rain-forest-like greenery designed to mimic the sloth’s natural habitat found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. Water vapor misters located along the walking path create a cooling fog that sometimes obscures the walkway.
Once in the MISTery Park, visitors are treated to a close encounter with the sloths, who lounge about on mobile trees branches and in hanging baskets in an open-air setting. Don’t expect to see a lot of action. Sloths spend most of their days sleeping and hanging out in trees.
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In spite of their popularity, sloths don’t make good pets, said zoo employee Casey Schmidt. Although they only defecate once a week, they probably can’t be housebroken, Schmidt said.
Sloths can weigh up to 25 pounds and live to be around 30 years of age. They spend most of their lives in the branches of tall trees but sometimes fall prey to jaguars, harpy eagles and large snakes.
“Predators rely on movement,” said zoo public relations specialist Carla Knapp, “and the sloth moves so slowly they grow algae and turn green.”
Although they are not endangered, their habitat is threatened.
“It’s hard to imagine them crossing a road safely,” Knapp said.
Knapp accounts for the sloth’s cuteness factor as a reason behind its popularity.
“They’re really personable,” Knapp said, “with relatable personalities. Maybe people envy the lifestyle they lead of being very relaxed and leisurely. Plus they’re adorable.”
In addition to the new sloth exhibit, the zoo has also refurbished the Extreme Snakes area in the Desert Dome.
The two Burmese Pythons, Iris and Lily, had outgrown their enclosures, said zoo representative Peggy Hoppe, and it seemed like a good time to bring in some new snakes. The Indianapolis Zoo is now home to one of the most venomous snakes in the world — the black mamba.
The sloth exhibit opens to the public Friday. The snakes are on display now. Both areas are included with zoo admission. Visit indianapoliszoo.com for hours of operation and entrance fees.
