Sloth Encounter

The Sloth Encounter is a premium up-close experience where visitors meet Hattiesburg Zoo's resident two-toed sloths under the guidance of trained keepers. Participants learn about sloth biology, behavior, and the conservation challenges facing these charismatic animals in their native Central and South American rainforests.

Sloths are perfectly adapted to life in the tropical canopy, moving slowly to conserve energy and avoid detection by predators. Their fur hosts an entire ecosystem of algae, moths, and beetles. Habitat loss from deforestation is the primary threat to wild sloth populations.