Wild and Kind Kids Podcast

The Two-Toed Sloth

• Wild and Kind Kids • Season 2 • Episode 3

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0:00 | 24:57

Could moving slowly make you a superhero?

In this episode of Wild and Kind Kids, we climb into the rainforests of Costa Rica to meet Benny, a gentle two-toed sloth who dreams of having adventures like her fast-moving friends. But when a tiny tree frog needs help, Benny discovers that sometimes the greatest heroes aren't the fastest ... they're the ones who slow down long enough to notice what everyone else misses.

Along the way, kids will learn amazing sloth facts, including:

  • Why sloths move so slowly
  • How they camouflage themselves high in the rainforest canopy
  • Why their fur grows "backward"
  • The surprising tiny creatures that live in their fur

Wild and Kind Kids is a screen-free podcast for curious kids and their grown-ups. Every episode combines an original animal adventure with real science, helping children build curiosity, empathy, and a love for the natural world.

Perfect for family listening, homeschool, classrooms, quiet time, bedtime, or your next road trip.


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Learn along with us and explore some of the resources we consulted:

SPEAKER_00

Welcome to Wild and Kind Kids, y'all. And a special welcome to everyone joining us from our kids club. Your adventure is waiting. But first, it's time to get moving. Today's animal doesn't run or hop or race. In fact, it might be the slowest mover we've ever met. So we're going to move slow too. Let's see if you can keep up. Alright, I want you to stand or sit nice and tall. Now, very slowly, I want you to reach one arm up to the sky. So you have to move. You're just gonna do it slowly. Alright, let's see how slow you can go. Oh gosh, y'all. Things are moving very slowly here. This is the slowest I've ever seen these children move. Actually, that's not true. This is about how slow you guys move when we say get in the shower. Yeah. Alright, you guys have almost got your hands up. So we're gonna stop it. No, no, no, no. Wait, Lincoln, you went down.

SPEAKER_01

No, I went down because I actually sped up.

SPEAKER_00

Okay. I like the honesty. Oh, finally, Lizy's second hand is moving. How did that feel? Show. My arms are sore from that. Really? Well, for today's animal, that's just an ordinary day. Let's get learning. I'm Carrie, and I grew up on a zoo. I'm Lincoln.

SPEAKER_01

I'm Eiza. And we're the wild about animals.

SPEAKER_00

Welcome to the Wild and Kind Kids Podcast. Hi, Lincoln and Eliza. Hi Mom. Today's critter was actually recommended to us by two separate kids. Addison, who is six years old and lives in Pennsylvania, and Amelia, who is also six years old and lives in Texas. Amelia actually has a stuffy of this animal named Bibi, who she loves very much.

SPEAKER_01

Hi Amelia. Hi Addison.

SPEAKER_00

But first, let's see if our listeners can guess today's animal in three clues. Clue number one, this animal spends almost its entire life hanging out in trees. Two, it almost looks like it's smiling. And three, it is one of the slowest animals on earth.

SPEAKER_02

It's a slough. Sloughity squawly clickily claffity.

SPEAKER_00

Yes. And more specifically, today we're talking about the two-toed sloth. We actually had a two-toed sloth named Betsy at the zoo where I grew up. And if you've never seen one before, let's paint a picture. Two-toed sloths have round heads, tiny ears hidden beneath shaggy fur, and long arms that end in two big curved claws. Hence the name. In fact, there are six different kinds of sloths in the world. Scientists put them into two groups, but the easiest way to tell them apart is by counting the claws on their front arms. Two-toed sloths have two claws on each front arm, while three-toed sloths have three. And two-toed sloths have especially adorable faces. They have big dark eyes and an almost pig-like nose. To see one, you'd have to head to the tropical forests of Central and South America. Now, before we meet one up close, I need some more facts. Lincoln and Eliza, what have you discovered about the two-toed sloth?

SPEAKER_01

They don't do anything in a hurry like anything.

SPEAKER_00

Yes. When we think of sloths, we think of an animal that moves very slowly. But there's a good reason for that. Two-toed sloths eat mostly leaves, along with some fruit, and every once in a while insects or eggs. Leaves don't give them very much energy, and they're also really hard to digest. Digesting means breaking food down so that your body can use it. Now, you and I usually digest a meal in about a day or two, but a sloth, it can take weeks, sometimes even a month, to digest a single meal. So sloths save their energy by taking life nice and slow. They usually spend only about eight to ten hours each day moving around. And they don't move far. They can spend days in the same tree, especially if it has tasty leaves. What else?

SPEAKER_02

They do everything in trees. Well, almost everything.

SPEAKER_00

Ha! What is the one thing they do not do in trees? Poop. Yes. So sloths are perfectly adapted to life in the trees. Those toes are actually curved claws that are made for hanging. And because of that, sloths can spend their entire lives hanging in trees. They eat while hanging upside down, they sleep while hanging upside down, they even have their babies while hanging upside down. Their grip is incredibly strong. But they are very particular about one thing, and that is where they go to the bathroom, and they do not do that while hanging upside down. Instead, they travel very slowly to the ground about once a week to go to the bathroom, which you know is also a great way to fertilize your favorite tree. It's actually pretty awkward if they try to walk because their back legs aren't really very strong. But get this, sloths are actually surprisingly good swimmers. Okay, how about another fact? Their hair grows backward. Yes, but let me explain this one. As we heard, sloths spend their entire lives in the trees, and two-toed sloths are usually hanging upside down. Now, most mammals have hair that grows from their backs down toward their bellies, but sloths are different. Their hair grows the opposite way, from their bellies towards their backs. Because when you're upside down all day, you don't want rain water getting trapped in your fur. So this backward growing hair helps rain roll right off, keeping them a little drier during rainforest storms.

SPEAKER_01

Even their hair knows they're upside down.

SPEAKER_00

It's true. Let's hear another fact.

SPEAKER_02

They are like a moving rainforest.

SPEAKER_00

Yes, a sloth's fur is home to tiny living things. Because sloths move so slowly, a tiny green living thing called algae can actually grow in their fur. It's a little like the green, fuzzy stuff you might see on rocks in a creek or floating on a pond. And sloth fur is the perfect place for this algae to grow. They don't move very fast, and their hairs have these teeny tiny micro cracks that make it easier for things to take root. In fact, when scientists started studying this, they found fungi and algae on sloths that were not found anywhere else in the world. But that is not all, y'all. Tiny sloth moths also live in their fur.

SPEAKER_01

What?

SPEAKER_00

I know. Okay, so get this. When the sloth climbs down to go to the bathroom, the moths lay their eggs in the sloth's, well, poop, and then baby moths hatch, they grow up, and they fly off to find another sloth to live on. Scientists call this symbiosis. That is a really big word, and scientists use it to describe two or more living things that live closely together. Sometimes they help each other, sometimes one gets more out of it than the other. Scientists are still figuring out exactly how this all works for sloths and algae and moths. The algae may help camouflage the sloth, and scientists think the moths may even help the algae grow, but researchers are still trying to figure it out. For now, I think it's time to meet one up close in our story of the day. Today, listeners, we are traveling to Core Cavado National Park in Costa Rica, where the air is warm and sticky after a day of sunshine. As the sunlight fades from the treetops, tree frogs begin to sing. Fireflies twinkle between the branches. And somewhere in the distance, a tiny bat zips through the dusky sky. And observing it all is Benny, a two-toed sloth, doing what she always does, hanging high above the forest floor in a giant tree draped with vines. Benny is in no hurry. She never is. She spends her nights just like this, hanging from her long curved claws, with the occasional reach for a tasty leaf or a scratch on her furry belly. And during the day, she's usually right here too, fast asleep. From where Benny hangs, there's no need to hurry. Almost everything she needs is within arm's reach, including on this night, her very best friend. A blur of grey fur comes bounding through the treetops. Branches bounce and leaves flutter. And then a little night monkey lands beside Benny with a great big grin.

SPEAKER_01

O'Rion, you're back!

SPEAKER_00

Benny chuckled.

SPEAKER_01

I am, and you're never going to believe what happened last night.

SPEAKER_00

Benny smiled.

SPEAKER_01

I hope it takes a long time to tell. It definitely will.

SPEAKER_00

And Benny smiled again. This is why they made such great friends. O'Rion loved collecting adventures. And Benny loved hearing all about them. Early evening, Orion would come bounding through the canopy, bursting with tales from the night before. Benny would listen to every single one while slowly munching leaves. O'Rion could chatter for 30 minutes without stopping, which was just about how long it took Benny to finish her first meal of the night. And this night was no exception. O'Rion filled the trees with stories as Benny lazily reached for greens.

SPEAKER_01

I met a family of two kids eating fruits bigger than my head. I almost bumped into a bow constrictor. Then I found the most enormous flower I've ever seen.

SPEAKER_00

Benny listened to every word. The next night, O'Rion arrived, even more excited than usual.

SPEAKER_01

Benny, I've had the greatest idea ever. Benny asked. I'm starting a superhero team.

SPEAKER_00

Benny blinked.

SPEAKER_01

A superhero team? The rainforest rangers. Who rescue creatures, solve mysteries, and protect the forest.

SPEAKER_00

Benny's face lit up. What should I bring? Now Orion blinked. Bring?

SPEAKER_01

But the rainforest rangers!

SPEAKER_00

O'Rion looks surprised.

SPEAKER_01

Oh Benny, I just didn't think you'd enjoy it. We'll be racing through the canopy, swinging across branches, looking for animals that need help.

SPEAKER_00

He smiled kindly.

SPEAKER_01

I just figured you'd rather stay here.

SPEAKER_00

Benny smiled, but this time it didn't reach her eyes. But she didn't want to dampen Orion's excitement.

SPEAKER_01

Of course you're totally right. I can't want to hear all about it. You're the first person I'll tell. You'll know every adventure.

SPEAKER_00

Said Orion, practically bouncing with excitement.

SPEAKER_01

You're my best friend, Benny. I'll be back tomorrow to tell you all about it.

SPEAKER_00

Can't wait, said Benny, with so much enthusiasm, she almost believed herself. O'Rion disappeared into the moonlit canopy in just a few quick leaps. Benny watched until she couldn't see him anymore. Then she slowly, very slowly, reached for the next branch. And that is how it went for many nights. As the sun slipped behind the trees, Benny would wake to the sound of branches bouncing around her. Benny! Orion would come swinging through the canopy, bursting with another story. One night he told her about helping a lost baby Kinkaju find its mother. Another night, he proudly explained how the rainforest rangers had scared away a curious boa constrictor. And then there was the time they untangled a vine so a family of two cans could reach their favorite fruit tree. Every adventure ended the same way.

SPEAKER_01

Then I came back to tell you all about it.

SPEAKER_00

Just like he promised. And Benny would smile. She always smiled. She loved O'Rion's stories. She loved hearing that animals were safe. But sometimes when Orion raced off to his next adventure, Benny wondered what it might feel like to have a story of her own. Then she'd give a slow little shrug, reach for another leaf, and remind herself that listening to adventures was probably enough. The next evening, Benny was just beginning to wake when the branches around her began to quake. The rainforest rangers are here came a voice through the trees. We're on patrol. A kinkaju scampered through the branches. A colorful toucan flapped overhead. Everyone seemed to be searching high and low. And then suddenly help A tiny voice echoed through the trees. The rangers appeared to rush toward the sound. The toucan circled overhead. The kinkaju searched one branch and then another. Orion leapt from tree to tree.

SPEAKER_01

I can hear them, but I can't find them.

SPEAKER_00

Neither can I. Where are they? The animals raced up and down and across the canopy, desperately searching for that voice calling help. But Benny didn't move. She stayed still and listened. While the others raced through the canopy, Benny noticed something. The voice wasn't getting farther away. It seemed louder, and it sounded close. She closed her eyes and turned her head in the direction of the noise. She'd climb through that part of the tree the night before. She knew it was full of twisty vines. And then she saw it. A tree frog had become tangled in a twisting vine only a few branches away. Benny said softly. Everyone stopped.

SPEAKER_01

Where?

SPEAKER_00

O'Rion asked. Benny pointed one arm. The others squinted. Oh said a kinkaju. A tree frog was tangled in the vine. I never would have seen that. But how do we get there? asked the Tucan. If we rush across those branches, we'll shake the whole tree and she'll fall. Just then, a shadow drifted overhead. A spectacled owl. Everyone froze. The little frog trembled. But Benny smiled. I think I can. Very, very slowly, Benny reached one long arm forward, then another. The owl was looking around, but never seemed to notice Benny moving. Her green tinged fur looked just like the moss growing on the branches, and her slow movements barely shook the leaves. One careful reach, then another, and another, until she gently wrapped one curved claw around the vine, carefully lifted it, and the tiny tree frog hopped free. Safe. The owl glided away into the night. The little frog gave a grateful croak before disappearing along the branches. For a long moment, nobody said anything. Finally, O'Rion smiled.

SPEAKER_01

I was wrong. Finny tilted her head. I thought superheroes had to be fast. But today, we raced right past. You were the only one who noticed. You stayed calm. And you moved so carefully the owl never saw you.

SPEAKER_00

O'Rion grinned from ear to ear.

SPEAKER_01

Benny, would you by any chance be willing to join the rainforest rangers?

SPEAKER_00

Benny's gentle smile returned.

SPEAKER_01

I'd be honored.

SPEAKER_00

The animals cheered. As the friends disappeared into the moonlit canopy together, the rainforest felt just a little safer. Not because every hero was fast, but because every hero brought something different. Some heroes could leap, some could fly, some could spot danger from high above the trees. And one very special hero reminded them all that sometimes the best way to save the day is to slow down long enough to notice what everyone else misses. Together, they would be unstoppable. Alright, y'all. As always, our story is full of real animal science. So what was real? Well, first, Benny's camouflage.

SPEAKER_02

Sloths definitely deserve a place in nature's hide-and-seek hall of fame.

SPEAKER_00

They do. In the story, the owl hardly noticed Benny moving through the branches. And that's actually one of the ways that sloths stay safe in the wild. Sloths move so slowly that predators sometimes don't even notice them at all. Their shaggy fur, which can look a little green because of that algae growing on it, also helps them blend in with the moss, vines, and leaves of the rainforest. It also might make them smell like the trees around them.

SPEAKER_01

So they hide in plain sight.

SPEAKER_00

Yes. Instead of running away, sloths often stay very still and let their camouflage do the work. But there was something else in our story that was real too. Did you notice that Benny didn't find the little tree frog just by looking around? She listened. That's because in the wild, sloths don't actually have very good eyesight. Scientists think they rely much more on their hearing, their sense of smell, and remembering the trees that they know so well. Imagine walking through your own house in the dark. You'd probably know exactly where your bedroom is without having to see every step. Sloths know their favorite trees a little bit like that. That's why Benny knew where the vines were. Sometimes the best way to notice something amazing is just to slow down long enough to really look, listen, and pay attention. And that's just a good lesson for all of us.

SPEAKER_01

Now it's time for your Wild and Kind Mission.

SPEAKER_00

Alright, friends, this week's wild and kind mission is to be a forest friend. Yes. Rainforests are home to sloths, monkeys, frogs, toucans, and thousands of other amazing animals. But some rainforests are being cut down, leaving that wildlife with fewer places to live. In fact, the World Wildlife Fund says that last year the world lost the equivalent of 11 soccer fields of tropical rainforest every single minute. And that's a lot of homes disappearing for amazing animals. Now, we use forest products every day, from the paper we draw on to the tissues and toilet paper we use at home. The good news is that we can make thoughtful choices. The next time you're shopping with a grown-up, see if you can spot a little tree logo with the letters FSC on it. You might see it on a notebook, tissues, or paper towels, really almost anything made from paper or wood. That little tree logo means the paper or wood came from forests that are managed responsibly, helping protect wildlife while keeping forests healthy for the future. And every time we choose products with that little tree logo, we're helping show that forests and the amazing animals that call them home matter.

SPEAKER_01

See who can spy first. Before we go, it's time for wild and kind trivia.

SPEAKER_00

Last week, we tried to stump you with a riddle about the Gila monster. Did you get it? Are you ready for another riddle about an animal we haven't covered yet? Here we go.

SPEAKER_01

I like to gnaw on wood. I'm a construction worker. My teeth never stop growing. What animal am I?

SPEAKER_00

Debate it with your family and tune in next time to hear the answer. See you then, Wild and Kind Kids! This podcast is produced by John, also known as Lincoln and Eliza's dad. If you are enjoying these adventures, please subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Leave us a review and tell your friends. To find a coloring sheet for today's creature, explore more episodes, or request an animal for a future story, visit wild and kindkids. Thanks for exploring with us, friends. Until next time.

SPEAKER_01

And your curiosity wild.