Sloth bears fact file

They are not related to sloths

Despite their name they are not related to sloths.

Sloths are from South America. They are a tree dwelling animal that loves to sleep!

Sloth Climbing

Sloth bears got their name from the explorer George Shaw, who discovered them in the 1790s and thought they resembled a creature not quite a bear not quite a sloth due to: 

  • Long shaggy coats.  

  • No front teeth.  

  • Long-curled claws. 

Sloth Bear