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 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.
