International Sloth Day 2021: Lesser-Known Facts About The Slow-Moving Mammals

International Sloth Day is celebrated annually on Oct. 20 to honor and recognize the slow-moving mammals.

The day was created by the foundation AIUNAU "as a compromise acquired on the first Sloth International Meeting about the wellbeing and conservation of sloths" in November 2010.

You can observe this day by attending special presentations held at several zoos or by donating money to a wildlife organization working to protect sloths.

Here are some lesser-known facts about sloths:

1. There are two different types of sloths. These include the two-toed and three-toed sloths.

2. These mammals are native to South and Central America.

3. Sloths have coarse thick fur and algae and fungus grow on them.

4. Over the last decade, the population of the pygmy sloth has decreased by 80%.

5. There are only less than 100 pygmy sloths left in the world.

6. Sloths sleep up to 20 hours every day.

7. They love being alone and don't spend much time around other sloths.

8. They are great swimmers and can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes underwater.

9. Their stomach is divided into four compartments

10. They take up to a month to digest food.