Searching for sloths was the most “touristy” thing that we did on our trip to Costa Rica!

We chose the Bogarin Trail as our destination because, in addition to having sloths, it had a viewing area that attracted a ton of beautiful birds and because it allowed you to do a self-guided tour and walk the myriad of trails on your own. Though hubby and I chose to explore the area by ourselves, several thoughtful guides stopped us to point out treetop activity that our untrained eyes would have missed. Like this male sloth up in the leafy canopy.

You can tell it’s a male because of the large patch on the back.

I’ll go ahead and apologize now for all the glare in the pictures; the sloths did not consult me about the best places to pose!

Later, another guide pointed out a female that was lounging about.

We learned that these slow moving creatures only venture down to the ground once a week, for the sole purpose of…well…pooping! They take care of business as quickly as they can (since they are unprotected on the ground) and then return to the heights. We were blessed that as we watched this gal, she began to descend for that weekly ritual!

It was fascinating to watch her look about to determine which vines and branches provided the best way down.

I have to say, when she finally reached the bottom she looked relieved to relieve herself! I did feel a bit bad that we gave the poor thing to privacy at all.

You can see all the moss and algae that grows on their fur, a covering that helps them stay well camouflaged amidst the leaves. It’s funny…as I wrote that last sentence I found my brain slipping into a somewhat “Seussian” style – These slow moving sloths are covered with moss, which helps them to hide in the treetops they cross…

Anyway, she was only on the ground for a minute or two and then slowly began her return trip to the heights.

What a treat to have such a successful sloth search!