It’s a sloth!
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory visitors and staff were surprised to witness the birth of a Hoffman’s two-toed sloth Wednesday while the baby’s mother was on exhibit.
“We couldn’t have planned a more exciting experience for our guests yesterday,” said Senior Zookeeper Jill Erzar in a statement. “It’s not every day you get to see a sloth being born right in front of you! It was a truly special moment, and Sago is already proving to be a fantastic first-time mom.”
Mother Sago, 6, and father Ziggy, 3, are Hoffman’s two-toed sloths that arrived at Como Zoo, located in St. Paul, in spring of 2023 as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan breeding recommendation. It is the first baby for both sloths.
Chloe, Como’s other Hoffman’s two-toed sloth, resides in the Tropical Encounters exhibit.
Hoffman’s two-toed sloths live in Central America and northern South America and have a conservation status of “least concern.” They typically live 10 to 15 years and can sleep for up to 20 hours a day.
Hoffman’s two-toed sloths have a gestation period of around 11.5 months. After birth, the baby will cling to the mother’s fur and make its way to her chest to be cleaned. The baby will remain attached to Sago for around six months, nursing throughout the day. A female sloth typically spends up to a year raising her baby.
Sago and Ziggy share an exhibit with Como’s saki monkeys in the Primate Building where visitors will be able to see her and the baby.
“Right now, we’re just enjoying watching the baby bond with Sago,” Erzar said. “It will be a while before we know if we have a little boy or girl, but for now, we’re focused on making sure both mom and baby are thriving.”
Como Park Zoo and Conservatory is free to visitors and open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from October through April. It is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from May through September. Donations are accepted.
For updates on the baby sloth, visit Como Park Zoo and Conservatory on social media.
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