Cute Baby Sloths Learn To Climb

By Mark Hodge @mrhodgey

A GROUP of doe-eyed sloths learn to climb by scaling and then swinging from the back of a rocking chair

Scroll down for the full story

Videographer / Director: Marco Restivo
Producer: Mark Hodge, Nick Johnson
Editor: Jack Stevens

Say cheese: A sloth smiles for the camera as he climbs up a rocking chair

Shot in May, this adorable footage was filmed by zoologist and broadcaster Lucy Cooke during a visit to the Toucan Rescue Ranch in Costa Rica.

Like butter wouldn't melt: One of the adorable orphaned sloths looks into the camera lense

The wildlife rehabilitation centre uses a rocking chair to help teach the orphaned baby sloths how to climb – as the swaying motion is similar to a tree.

Sloths Mocha and Latte like being the centre of attention

Lucy, who has been called the ‘Spielberg' of sloth documentaries, has released a calendar dedicated to the super cute mammals.

A sloth takes some time out from his climbing practice to smile for the camera

The Sussex-born filmmaker spoke about her love for these laidback creatures of habit.

She said: “I love taking photos of sloths - they have such characterful faces. Most animals all look the same, but sloths, like dogs, are real individuals - no two look the same.

Two rescued baby sloths take some time out from their climbing practice

“I was out in Costa Rica taking photos for my sloth calendar and I was particularly charmed by the Toucan Rescue Ranch and this novel method they have for teaching the sloths how to climb because I've not really come across that before.

Hanging out: Zoologist Lucy Cooke holds a tiny baby sloth

A wildlife worker at the ranch checks one of the orphaned baby animals

“As a zoologist I love their eccentric biology but I think you cannot resist an animal that was born to hug and has a natural smile.”

You looking at me? A super cute sloth hangs out in a bucket

Sloths in captivity can sleep up to 20 hours a day and according to a study by Swansea University, the cuddly creatures almost always hang upside down because their organs are fixed to their ribcage.

And Lucy thinks that overworked humans can learn a lot from the relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by sloths.

The back of Lucy Cooke's calendar showing her best sloth pictures

She said: “The sloth is an energy-saving totem for the 21st century with much to teach us.

“We'd all like to spend more time resting and snoozing, so the sloth is a strangely aspirational animal - we could all do with slowing down, it would be better for us and the planet.