History of Three-toed Sloths in UK?

[Bwassa]

Just been reading an article on Sloths in the latest BBC Wildlife, and it got me thinking.
Does anybody know if Three-toed Sloths have been kept in any UK collections?
If not, are they difficult to keep?
Presumably London have had them at some point - they seem to have had nearly everything at some point....

 

[Tim May]

Just been reading an article on Sloths in the latest BBC Wildlife, and it got me thinking.
Does anybody know if Three-toed Sloths have been kept in any UK collections?
If not, are they difficult to keep?
Presumably London have had them at some point - they seem to have had nearly everything at some point....

Three-toed sloth are much more difficult to keep than two-toed sloth.

In his book “The Management of Wild Mammals in Captivity” (1964) Lee S. Crandall states that there are no recorded instances of a three-toed sloth surviving for more than few months in captivity.

The longest lifespan listed for a three-toed sloth in “Longevity of Mammals in Captivity; From the Living Collections of the World” (Weigl; 2005) is 11 years 8 months for an individual in Sao Paulo. In contrast, the same book, lists a number of instances of two-toed sloth living well over 30 years, including one in Washington that was still living after 36 years 10 months.

You’re right of course; London Zoo had a three-toed sloth as long ago as 1863!

 

[Saro]

The Dallas World Aquarium has held a number of three toed sloths for several years now, although I am unsure about individual longevity. I personally took care of a very young confiscated three toed sloth at Hannover Zoo in 1988. Unfortunately it died after only two weeks. Partly because it was already ill when we got it but mostly because we had no means to properly feed it.

 

[Jurek7]

Interestingly, in Brazil wild three-toed sloths are often seen on Ficus trees besides favourite Cecropia. It would be interesting to see, if they can be fed ficus in captivity.

 

[Bele]

I should imagine that some of the hand-reared young three-toed sloths from the Sanctuary , featured in the BBC Wildlife article , that are not suitable for wild re-introduction would be ideal candidates for a Zoo . Usual problem is that it seems to be extremely rare that such transfers take place for any species . I consider this a real shame as often the sanctuaries become extremely crowded .

 

[Bwassa]

The Dallas World Aquarium has held a number of three toed sloths for several years now, although I am unsure about individual longevity.

Does this mean that Dallas has the key to cracking the husbandry of these species?
I believe diet could be a problem. Is that what makes these so much more difficult to keep than the Two-toed?

 

[Bwassa]

Thanks for the replies by the way!

 

[jbnbsn99]

Does this mean that Dallas has the key to cracking the husbandry of these species?
I believe diet could be a problem. Is that what makes these so much more difficult to keep than the Two-toed?

It does seem so. They single animal currently there is quite healthy and active (as far as sloths go). I heard a rumor that they might even be expanding their sloth collection.