By Paul Gerace

Sloths are one of my favorite animals to photograph. They appear to be constantly smiling, and their relaxed poses define Costa Rica's Pura Vida spirit. They seem to have no cares and are never in a rush to get anywhere. They also don't mind being photographed at close range.

Finding a mother with her baby clinging to her is a special treat. It is fascinating to watch her position herself so the baby can feed on the abovementioned leaves. Sloths mate only once a year, and caring for the baby is the mother's responsibility. Sloth babies are ready to eat leaves by the second week of life. Their favorite leaves are those on the guarana tree (Cecroia Peltata), where I always find them.

The baby will spend up to its first nine months with the mother until it is ready to move out independently.
I have had the good fortune, twice and with much patience, to see a baby take its first steps away from its mother. It climbed up the mother's back, onto her shoulder, and a branch.

Sloths give birth at the end of the rainy season when there are many leaves to eat. The baby is born with claws that keep it attached to the mother. It stays on the mother's belly for the first few months and attaches itself to her back. Sloths are well-built to survive a fall, as they have nine cervical vertebrae, two more than humans and most mammals.
We are fortunate to live in an area home to these remarkable creatures.

InFo: Paul Gerace – www.photosofcostarica.com

Ballena Tales is an essential free digital magazine in Costa Rica, valid for travelers, residents, and investors covering Costa Ballena in the Canton of Osa in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. It is a fully bilingual, bi-monthly, and full-color digital magazine.

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