SLOTH BORN AT ZOO ATLANTA

Nutella, a Hoffmann’s two-toed sloth at Zoo Atlanta, gave birth to an infant on August 9, 2024. The newborn is the second offspring of Nutella, 7, and male Cocoa, 31.  

The gestation period for sloths is unusually long for the animal kingdom at 11 to 12 months; however, pregnancies are not easily confirmed. Nutella’s firstborn, Olivia, was born on Father’s Day in 2023.  

Although sloths are famous for their slow movements, sloth infants develop at a notably more rapid pace than do most other mammal babies. They are born fully furred, with their eyes open and teeth already present, and have fully developed claws for clinging to their mothers.  

“We are very excited about the birth of Nutella’s infant,” said Gina Ferrie, PhD, Vice President of Collections and Conservation. “Sloths have so many fascinating adaptations and behaviors that we can share with our Members and guests, and while they are not currently classified as endangered, they have an emerging conservation story that can help us appreciate the impact of human activities on wild animals and ecosystems.”  

Native to Central and South America, Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths face mounting threats in the wild. In addition to challenges such as habitat loss for illegal logging, hundreds of sloths are electrocuted each year while attempting to use power lines to travel among fragmented forest patches. Based in Costa Rica, the Sloth Conservation Project, which works to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wild sloths impacted by deforestation and power line injuries, is a program that has been supported by Zoo Atlanta’s Conservation Fund.  

Nutella and Cocoa were recommended to breed by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan® (SSP), which seeks to maintain healthy, genetically diverse, and self-sustaining animal populations in accredited zoos. Lynn Yakubinis, a Lead Keeper at Zoo Atlanta, coordinates AZA-wide SSP programs for both Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths and Linne’s two-toed sloths.  

Nutella and her infant may be seen daily, weather permitting, in the Zoo’s summer sloth habitat located in the KIDZone. Plan a visit or learn more at zooatlanta.org.