Now that Kristen Bell’s adorable/disturbing reaction to a visit from a sloth (courtesy of her boyfriend, Dax Shepard) for her 31st birthday party has officially gone viral, folks are wondering where they, too, can see the lethargic-yet-adorable creatures up close. For globe trotters, the answer is Central and South America!
The folivores (shrub- and leaf-eaters) reside high in the jungles of countries like Ecuador, Costa Rica and Brazil. The slowest mammal on Earth (fact!) actually sleeps between 15 and 20 hours a day, and is categorized by its claws: both two- and three-toed sloths exist. The latter is endangered, so consider visiting a sanctuary on your next trip south for a up-close encounter.
Now, for your viewing pleasure:
(Images: hotshotjen, roblisameehan, cliff1066, praziquantel)