Get ready for cuteness overload. 

Get ready to meet an adorable nugget at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo!

"Say hello to our newest CMZoo animal, an adorable Hoffman's two-toed sloth. This little bundle of joy was born Tuesday (5/14) at 12:15 p.m., and is currently bonding and resting with 19-year-old mom, Chalupa. The baby appears to be strong, and this first-time mom is exhibiting quality maternal instincts," announced the zoo on its Facebook page

This little sloth was a bit of a surprise, as the zoo staff only discovered the pregnancy during unrelated veterinary exams. That isn't entirely uncommon, as sloths are most active at night, so zookeepers rarely observe the breeding. While the pregnancy may have been unplanned, the zoo is thrilled to welcome the new, adorable baby. The zoo says the baby's gender won't be known for a few months, so there is no name chosen yet. 

And the best part is, you don't have to wait to see the little sloth. According to CMZoo, Chalupa and her baby are visible to guests in Monkey Pavilion but will be in a protected exhibit for at least a few months. Remember that it can be challenging to get a clear view of the baby if there is foliage in the way or if he/she is clinging too tightly to its mother, as they tend to do as youngsters. 

Bosco, the baby’s 27-year-old father, will remain in the sloths’ normal exhibit, hanging out above the guests’ pathways inside and outside of Monkey Pavilion. Chalupa and her baby will return to their normal exhibit with Bosco when keepers and veterinary staff agree it’s safe for them to leave that protected space.

Check out the bundle of joy in this video provided by Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Facebook). The new sloth is snuggled on Chalupa's back at the bottom of the frame. 

Will you be visiting the new sloth and Chalupa? Let us know in the comments.

Becky Talley
A Colorado native, Becky’s a confirmed word nerd who loves to write about and photograph this great state! Give a wave and say "Hi" if you see her hiking out and about on the trails or geeking out over historical tours of colorful Colorado, preferably, of the haunted variety. She's always happy to learn about the new, cool, creepy and bizarre, so feel free to share story ideas with her on Twitter!
RELATED ARTICLES
Ad Here