Adopt A Sloth

The Program

Sloths, as their very name implies, have long been associated with one dominant characteristic: Laziness. In reality however these unique tropical mammals are a fascinating blend of adaptations. Belonging to the Edentate family, as are the armadillo and anteater, sloths fall into two very distinct categories: the two-fingered sloth and the three-fingered sloth. This delineation arises from the number of clawed fingers on the forelegs of the different species as both possess three toes on their hindlegs.

3-Fingered Bradypus 2-Fingered Choloepus

Wonderfully adapted to their arboreal habitat these species exhibit numerous similarities, not the least of which are their conspicuous scimitar-like claws, used for climbing. In addition both are highly specialized for a diet consisting of energy rich but highly indigestible mature and young leaves. Their ruminant -like (chambered) stomachs contain active bacteria that work to break down these leaves. This is a slow process however, evidenced by the fact that the digestive cycle for sloths is measured in days instead of hours! Associated with this torpidity is the characteristic lethargic behavior as well as the unusual trait of coming down to the forest floor to defecate only once every 5-8 days!
Furthermore, sloths do not exert themselves by internally regulating their temperatures, instead they follow the method of cold-blooded creatures and allow the environment to dictate thermoregulation. Unlike the nocturnal two-fingered sloth, the diurnal three-fingered sloth actively seeks out the sun for basking so as to raise its body temperature. Despite what is known, in many ways these fascinating creatures remain somewhat of a mystery and only with continued observation and association will a more illuminating light be shed upon them and their ways.

Why Adopt

The occurrence of an injured and/or orphaned sloth is becoming ever more common in many areas of Costa Rica. Whether this is due to continued deforestation, encroaching human settlement, the black market pet trade or mother sloths being too afraid to come down and retrieve fallen babies, the problem continues to exist. On a grand scale the rescue and reintroduction of these sloths into the wild represents a positive step towards maintaining the balance of the New World neotropical rainforest ecosystem - one of the most important and complex ecological networks on the planet. More simply however, sloths are amazing creatures that sometimes need - and deserve- our help.

Your Adoption

By adopting a sloth you are contributing to the future of these wonderful creatures in a number of very important ways:

  • 1. Care for orphaned or injured animals - this includes providing adequate, environmentally stimulating housing; catering to the special diets required by these extremely selective mammals; medication when necessary and ensuring regular medical checkups; and finally providing housing for the volunteers that are so vital to the successful functioning of the center, whether they be involved in hands-on rehabilitation, simply taking the sloths outside for some much needed sun or more involved research.
  • 2. Follow-up monitoring and research - in order to improve the quality of care given to each animal we must first understand them. The best way to do this is to monitor both newly released and wild individuals in order to record habits, food preferences, home range parameters and much more. For this to be done scientific equipment such as radio collars and receivers are required.
  • 3. Purchasing land for reintroduction - a common dilemma faced by any attempted reintroduction project is the lack of an adequate amount of protected natural habitat into which the animals can be released. The Buttercup Center is attempting to alleviate this problem by acquiring more land in the vicinity before the ever-encroaching banana plantations that surround the center preclude this possibility.

    Adoption Packages

    Package A
    Package includes:

  • 8X10 color photo of the Sloth you will be adopting.
  • Color information card about the type, and a personal history of your sloth.
  • 8X111/2 Sloth Adoption Certificate.
  • annual issue of the 'Buttercup Newsletter'.
  • "Buttercup" T-shirt.
    Contribution type: Premium $150.00

    Package B

    Package includes:

  • 8X10 color photo of the Sloth you will be adopting.
  • Color information card about the type, and a personal history of your sloth.
  • 8X111/2 Sloth Adoption Certificate.
  • Annual issue of the 'Buttercup Newsletter'.
  • "Buttercup" keychain.
    Contribution type: Standard $100.00

    Package C

    Package includes:

  • 8X10 color photo of the sloth you will be adopting.
  • Color information card about the type, and a personal history of your sloth.
  • 8X111/2 Sloth Adoption Certificate.
  • Annual issue of the 'Buttercup Newsletter'.
  • individual wallet size photo cards of adoptive sloth with student's name.
    Contribution type: Classroom $10.00 per student (sug.)

    To Adopt A Sloth

    Adopters Name:_____________________________
    Address:___________________________________
    Telephone:( ___ )____________________________
    Email:_____________________________________
    I wish to adopt:______________________________

    Checks payable to "Aviarios del Caribe, S.A."
    MEMO: Adopt-a-Sloth Program
    (Please do not send cash in the mail. Registered mail for other payment type is preferable)

    Luis and Judy Arroyo

    P.O. Box 569-7300, Limon, Costa Rica, C. A.