Congratulations! A baby two-toed sloth was born for the first time at the Riga Zoo 0 16

This is the first baby of this animal in the history of the Riga Zoo, as well as the first offspring of the parents — female Lela and male Lukas.

Treyja explains that the mother and baby mainly stay in a corner of the exhibit, where they feel safe and calm. The baby sleeps a lot, but occasionally wakes up to eat or stretch — in the case of a baby sloth, this means walking on the mother’s body, including her back, and even trying to climb onto the mother’s head, Treyja reveals, adding that overall both are doing well and behaving calmly.

She also explains that the sex of the baby will only be determined in a few months when it starts to climb down from the mother for short periods to explore the surroundings. This will also be the first opportunity for veterinarians to examine the baby.

The sloth family lives in the exhibit of the Environmental Education Center "Zinarium" alongside armadillos and Geldi kalimiko monkeys.

Experts explain that sloths carry their young for about six months, and the female usually gives birth to one baby. The newborn baby is about 25 centimeters long and weighs around 350 grams. The first weeks of life are spent close to the mother, clinging to her long fur on her chest and belly. Two-toed sloths are tree dwellers — birthing, feeding, and resting occur in a hanging position. These animals are more active at night, have a very slow metabolism, and special adaptations for life in the tree canopies, zoo representatives explain.