Sloths live life slowly and their diet is no exception. These laid-back animals are leaf-lovers, spending their days munching on greenery high up in the treetops. But what they eat and how they digest it is a fascinating example of nature’s slowest (and most efficient) survival plan.
What Do Sloths Eat?
Sloths are mostly herbivores, and their diet is made up primarily of:
Leaves (especially young, tender leaves)
Flowers
Shoots
Occasional fruits
They especially love leaves from trees like Cecropia, which are soft, easy to digest, and rich in moisture.
Fun fact: Two-toed sloths are more flexible in their diet and may sometimes eat insects, bird eggs, or even small lizards making them omnivores, while three-toed sloths are strictly herbivores.
Slow Eating, Slower Digestion
Sloths don’t just eat slowly they digest incredibly slowly, too. Here’s how it works:
Sloths have a complex, multi-chambered stomach, similar to cows.
Their stomach is filled with symbiotic bacteria that help break down the tough cellulose in leaves.
Digestion can take 7 to 30 days sometimes even longer!
Because digestion is so slow, a sloth’s stomach can make up up to 30% of its body weight.
This slow digestion supports their low-energy lifestyle. Since leaves are low in calories and nutrients, sloths conserve energy by moving and eating very little.
Bathroom Habits (Once a Week!)
Because digestion takes so long, sloths only descend from the trees about once a week to go to the bathroom a dangerous trip that makes them vulnerable to predators.
This behavior is still a bit of a mystery, but it’s thought to be related to communication, fertilizing trees, or protecting themselves from predators by keeping waste away from their home.
Why Their Diet Matters
Their slow digestion is perfectly matched to their lifestyle and metabolism.
Their unique diet helps keep them camouflaged they even grow green algae in their fur thanks to their slow movements and leafy homes.
A sudden change in diet (especially in captivity) can be dangerous to sloths, as their gut bacteria are highly specialized.
In Summary:
Sloths survive on a leafy, low-energy diet that they digest very slowly — a process that’s as unique and fascinating as they are.
Their ability to thrive on such a limited diet is one of the many reasons sloths are true masters of slow living.