# Can Sloths Move Fast? (if they wanted to) **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 8, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323 "2015-01-08T15:56:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/21 "2015-01-11T05:06:41Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > See, now I’m curious as to why > > How is a sloth’s muscle structure so different that it (presumably) literally can’t go fast than that? Not enough muscles for limbs that long? I mean if you look at it from the skeleton out we’re clearly not dealing with designed for speed. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/22 "2015-01-11T05:53:50Z")
> [@JimSC](#): > > The only animal slower than a sloth is a slower sloth! You don’t have to outrun the bear, you just have to outrun the sloth being chased by the bear. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2015, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/23 "2015-01-11T06:13:17Z")
> [@JimSC](#): > > The only animal slower than a sloth is a slower sloth! And the only thing slower than that is a debauched sloth. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2015, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/24 "2015-01-14T15:58:53Z")
Will no one think of the sloth children?!? ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/25 "2015-01-15T07:20:45Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > . . . they sleep up to 18 hours a day . . . Some recent research [calls that number into question](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7396356.stm), (“Sloth’s Lazy Image a Myth”), though they might have been looking at a different kind of sloth. ---
**Author:** ![dracoi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90db22/32.png) [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/26 "2015-01-15T07:33:50Z")
> [@kopek](#): > > Not enough muscles for limbs that long? I mean if you look at it from the skeleton out we’re clearly not dealing with designed for speed. [This image of a sloth skeleton](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/67/Bradypus_tridactylus_skull.jpg) actually reveals something else of note: If they were walking, they’d effectively be using the sides of their hands and feet, not the soles/palms. If I had to run away from a sloth using that same posture, it just might beat me. (Also, looking at that picture, is anyone thinking that we need a zombie sloth movie now? What untapped potential!) ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/27 "2015-01-15T14:26:08Z")
> [@Carryon](#): > > If that’s so, could you take a captive sloth and feed it better nutritionally and then make it work out so it’s faster? They were going to make a Sloth Workout Video but couldn’t find any music slow enough. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/28 "2015-01-15T14:40:56Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > And the only thing slower than that is a debauched sloth. Actually, a debauched sloth appears to move faster, if only to experience more debauchery: > [@](#): > > More cake, more grog: growing confidence and esteem. After this, as soon as the drum had beat the retreat, the sloth would meet him, **hurrying toward the door** on its uneven legs ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/29 "2015-01-15T14:55:14Z")
Before Disney bought him out, I hear Lucas was considering a Star Wars sequel: _Wroth Sloth on Hoth._ ---
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/30 "2015-01-15T14:59:13Z")
_“Jack, you’ve debauched my sloth.”_ ― Patrick O’Brian, H.M.S. Surprise Jack had actually got it drunk. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/31 "2015-01-15T18:03:52Z")
Two sloths in a bar got into a fight and killed each other. The police came and asked “What happened here?” The bartender said, “I don’t know; it all happened so fast.” ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/32 "2015-01-15T19:11:03Z")
> [@astorian](#): > > Two sloths in a bar got into a fight and killed each other. > > The police came and asked “What happened here?” > > The bartender said, “I don’t know; it all happened so fast.” Isn’t the bartender supposed to be a snail or a turtle? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2015, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/33 "2015-01-15T20:38:44Z")
Q: What does a snail on the back of a turtle say? A: “Wheee!” ---
**Author:** ![Chief\_Pedant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a6a055/32.png) [@Chief\_Pedant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chief_Pedant)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/34 "2015-01-16T03:46:46Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Two-toed sloths are more active and can move with some speed if provoked. They can take swipes with their forefeet and can bite with their sharp teeth. They require some care in handling. On the other hand, three-toed sloths are generally much more lethargic and can move only slowly. Any idea why they are not all dead, Colibri? Are they less delicious than monkeys, or something? For a jaguar or a harpy, they can’t even move fast enough to provide a dangerous response, can they? ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/35 "2015-01-16T04:21:14Z")
> [@Chief\_Pedant](#): > > Any idea why they are not all dead, Colibri? > Are they less delicious than monkeys, or something? > > For a jaguar or a harpy, they can’t even move fast enough to provide a dangerous response, can they? They’re quite hard to see; in fact I don’t often see them even though they are probably the most common medium sized animal in the tropical forest. When they are sleeping, they look like a big ball of dead moss or other vegetation, especially since the algae that grows on their fur often makes them look greenish. Even when they’re awake, they move so slowly they don’t attract attention. They’re usually on branches too small for a jaguar to climb, although margays can reach them. Harpy eagles are their main predators, but harpies are rare and have been hunted out in many areas. And for a harpy to catch one, it has to be fairly exposed. If it’s tucked up in the branches a harpy won’t be able to get at it. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/36 "2015-01-16T04:44:40Z")
I remember reading an account of someone who was caring for a sloth for some reason. She was worried because (I’m not sure how she noticed) it wouldn’t urinate. However, once it was sprayed with water it let go. The theory was that sloths only piss when it rains lest the piss give away their location to predators. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/37 "2015-01-16T17:07:00Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > I remember reading an account of someone who was caring for a sloth for some reason. She was worried because (I’m not sure how she noticed) it wouldn’t urinate. However, once it was sprayed with water it let go. The theory was that sloths only piss when it rains lest the piss give away their location to predators. Hee. I’m picturing a sloth enclosure where it’s like in the produce section – periodically “Stand back, spray of water is about to be released”. ---
**Author:** ![Quercus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/7ab992/32.png) [@Quercus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quercus)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/38 "2015-01-16T17:50:49Z")
> [@Colibri](#): > > Two-toed sloths are more active and can move with some speed if provoked. They can take swipes with their forefeet and can bite with their sharp teeth. They require some care in handling. On the other hand, three-toed sloths are generally much more lethargic and can move only slowly. I guess the weight of the extra toe really slows them down? ---
**Author:** ![Boogly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Boogly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boogly)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/39 "2015-01-16T20:25:30Z")
True Facts about Sloths’es. Per the video on average sloths can move up to 3 feet per minute, which is an impressive 3 FPM faster than a dead sloth. Funny stuff if you have a couple minutes and the video series is just as funny. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XrUM8m2rnP0?feature=oembed&wmode=opaque&list=PLOHbM4GGWADc5bZgvbivvttAuWGow6h05 ---
**Author:** ![computergeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e56c9b/32.png) [@computergeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/computergeek)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2015, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323/40 "2015-01-16T23:53:35Z")
Gotta thank you guys for the references explaining sloths in detail. I’ve been fascinated by these creatures for a long time, but missed the details on exactly why they are the way they are, especially their slowness. They evolved to hang in trees and act like the background to avoid predators. Who needs to move much with that great ability? I finally understand their slow, weird walking (or crawling really) on land. They are cute, weird looking creatures, but I would hesitate to hold one given all the bugs reportedly in their fur. Plus those claws [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-sloths-move-fast-if-they-wanted-to/709323.md?page=3)