Sloths are unique neotropical mammals with extremely specialized metabolism and behavior. Their welfare in captivity requires deep understanding of their unusual biology and high susceptibility to stress.
Sloth welfare in captivity is critically dependent on minimizing stress and providing appropriate arboreal environments. These animals are chronically over-handled in tourist venues, where their slow movement is misread as placidity — in fact, it reflects their extreme energy conservation strategy, not tolerance of interaction. Sloths in tourist settings show physiological stress markers that indicate significant suffering. Reputable sanctuaries provide elevated forest environments, appropriate diet (which remains challenging even for the best facilities), minimal human contact, and opportunities for natural behavior. Three-toed sloths should not be kept in captivity at all given their extreme care requirements.