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Own A Sloth in America… Is It Possible?

Modified date: March 1, 2024

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Own A Sloth in America… Is it Possible? Owning a sloth in the USA is possible, but there are some things you need to consider before you try to have your very own adorable sloth in the US.

Own A Sloth in America… Is It Possible?

Some of the common questions that come up when you think about owning a sloth in the USA are:

Is Owning a Sloth Possible in The USA?
What are Things to Consider Before Owning a Sloth?
How To Choose The Right Kind of Sloth?
How Much Do Sloths Cost in the USA?
Where Can I Purchase a Sloth?
Where Is It Legal to Be a Sloth Owner in the US?
What States is Owning a Sloth Allowed?

Can you have a baby sloth as a pet? Below we will be discussing this point to provide you with more information regarding owning your own adorable sloth.

If you like sloths as we do, you will love our list of the 10 Most Adorable Baby Sloth Pictures. Take a look at these awesome baby sloth images and let us know which one is your favorite sloth.

Can You Become A Sloth Owner in America?

Is it possible to be the owner of a sloth? Owning a sloth in the USA is possible, but there are some things you need to consider before you try to become the owner of a sloth in the USA.

Sloths are very sluggish, lazy, and slow creatures that spend most of their time hanging on a tree branch or sleeping.

They usually have difficulty walking due to their claws which makes them prefer more climbing.

They seldom come down from the tree except to defecate or urinate which they usually do once a week.

Their color varies from brown to gold and always prefer living a solitary life in the wild except in captivity where they tend to play together.

Having a sloth as a pet can be an amazing experience. But, you may run into trouble if you don’t understand how to take care of them properly said a State Veterinarian Joe BakerCQ said.

Things to Consider Before You Get a Sloth

Sloths are attention-seeking animals that love to cuddle and in spite of their slow movement, sloths are very good swimmers.

These ant-eating animals are of two different types namely two-toed and three-toed which are usually differentiated by the number of toes on their forelimbs.

There are many things to be considered before planning to own an exotic sloth as a pet in the USA.

It’s usually a difficult task bringing home a sloth that is already used to the Central and South American rainforest.

It will involve finding a suitable enclosure for breeding, obtaining a license, and locating a familiar vet who is ready to cater to it.

Owning a sloth also requires a special kind of care, attention, and most importantly lots of money.

Many people all over the world have been successful in keeping exotic pets, especially with the widespread of the internet.

That has given many the ability to find and acquire their very own sloth.

37+ Sloth Questions Finally Answered – Questions About Sloths. You love sloths and want to know all about them. You’ve got sloth questions galore. Here are the Most Common Sloth Questions Answered.

How To Choose The Right Kind of Sloth?

Choosing the right kind of sloth will depend on your preference on which type of sloth you would like to own.

But there are other things to consider about choosing the right sloth for you.

We earlier mentioned there are two kinds of sloth namely the two-toed and the three-toed. The two-toed are bigger weighing about 12 to 19 pounds.

The three-toed however usually have difficulty adapting to a new environment when taken out of their natural home.

Even though the two-toed easily adapts to new environments, extra care is usually needed to care for and cater to both species of sloth.

Where can I hold a baby sloth? You can hold a baby sloth in some states. There are states in the US where you are able to hold a baby sloth.
Check out our article 40 States Where You Can See a Sloth

How Much Do Sloths Cost in the USA?

How Much Do Sloths Cost in the US? One of the major things to consider before owning a pet sloth is the cost.

From the cost of purchasing one to the cost of catering to its needs, such as housing, vaccination, feeding, and so on.

A typical baby sloth is usually priced at about $2,000 to $10,000. Additionally, you have to consider that monthly expenses to take care of the sloth you wish to own could be anywhere from $100’s to $1000’s per month.

Taking care of a human baby is different from a sloth because the baby will one day grow up and leave but you will care for a sloth for its entire life.

READ Viral Sloth Love Story Where 2 Sloths Find A Slow Romance

Your financial situation for up to two decades has to be put into consideration for this.

Where Can I Purchase a Sloth in the US?

Finding a sloth to buy in the USA is a bit hard, but it is not impossible. Nowadays it is very easy to fire up your computer and search online for what you seek.

There are websites dedicated to selling exotic pets and they can help you to buy a sloth for a pet. When you find one make sure it is a reputable one that takes care of their sloths.

You can find breeders and sellers that specialize in helping you to buy a sloth for a pet.

Be aware that some sellers are very careful about who they sell the sloths to.

The General public or someone without a USDA license may not be allowed to purchase a sloth.

You can buy a sloth as a pet from either brokers or breeders, brokers being the most common one you will find.

Finding a baby sloth to purchase will be harder to find than an adult sloth. Which brings a totally new type of problem.

A baby sloth will adapt quickly to its environment as long as its basic needs are met; safety, food, shelter, and care.

An adult sloth may be unsociable, have not been treated well, have been underfed, or have any other things you may not be aware of. Point of reference…

When you buy a new car, you know its history… When you buy a used car, you have no idea how it was taken care of.

You should also know where the sloth was acquired. Was the sloth bred, or was the sloth wild-caught? Wild-caught sloths may be more problematic than a bred sloth as a pet.

Make sure to ask your sloth seller or your sloth broker as many questions as possible to ensure that you are getting the right sloth for you.

My point of view is that any good seller will provide you with this information without having to even ask.

Occasionally you will find a pet store that will sell a baby sloth to the general public, which would be the best thing for a first-time sloth owner.

Where in America is Sloth Owning Allowed?

The United States laws for exotic pets in which you reside have to be taken into consideration.

Potential sloth owners are required to meet certain conditions and criteria before a special license or permit can be issued to them.

It may also be mandatory to get insurance for an exotic pet.

You are therefore required to become familiar with the local laws in your area in order to avoid fines or jail time.

Sloths are however legal in most states in the US. Apart from having knowledge of the laws of the state you reside in, also check with the importation laws as sloth may be legal to own but might have some requirements before they can be imported between state lines.

State laws addressing the possession of sloths as exotic pets are flexible and can change at any time and even state workers may at any point provide false information making finding genuine information about these laws somewhat frustrating.

Before you consider owning a sloth please take a look at our state-by-state list. Below is a list of some of the states in the US where keeping a sloth is legal.

Most states don’t list sloths and there is no logical reason why they won’t be legal. They are very delicate animals with very sensitive needs, they don’t bite and obviously pose no threat.

Can you own a sloth in Alabama?

Can you own a sloth in Alabama? Yes, you can be the owner of a sloth in Alabama. Having a sloth is generally not a problem in Alabama, despite the fact that the state’s constitution does not explicitly permit it.

Sloths require a lot of attention and food, and keeping a sloth habitat can be expensive, so be sure you’re prepared to care for one before you adopt one.

Alabama prohibits the personal possession of a range of exotic animals, including mongooses and giant African snails.

To get more information about adopting a sloth in Alabama read our post Adopt A Sloth in This 26 States.

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Administrative Code sections 220-2-.26 Alabama Code Title 9. Here.
Conservation and Natural Resources section 9-2-7 et seq. Here.
You can find more info at Alabama.gov.

Read our post – Alabama Sloth Experience – If you live in Alabama or nearby this post discusses where you can see hold sloth in Alabama.

Is it legal to own a sloth in Florida?

Can I Legally get a Sloth in Florida? Yes, it is legal to become a sloth owner in Florida.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), sloths have been listed as a Class III species.

Keeping a sloth as a pet or purchasing one for display or sale in Florida is governed by a few restrictions, even though there is no formal list in the state that registers every species under Class III.

In Florida, owning a sloth is permitted, however, it is strongly discouraged. Sloths are dangerous natural animals that can inflict serious injury or death on humans, especially children.

You will be held responsible if your pet sloth or other exotic animal hurts someone else. In some cases, even if you are not negligent or intend to harm another person, you may still be held liable.

In the case of sloths, owners must meet additional conditions. Anyone injured by your sluggishness could sue you for the following:

Lost wages, medical expenses, anxiety and pain, and abnormalities are all examples of anomalies.

It’s a good idea to think twice before bringing home a sloth from Florida or any other exotic pet because of the potential for harm or damage that could result from your pet’s carelessness, and because you will be held responsible for the actions of your pet.

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Sloths and other exotic pets aren’t necessarily legal everywhere just because you can own a variety of animals under state law.

Before purchasing a pet, verify that you are in accordance with local regulations and that you understand the restrictions.

You can find more information about owning a sloth in Florida at:

Florida Statutes Title XXVIII. Natural Resources; Conservation, Reclamation, and Use section 379.3762 Florida Administrative Code section 68A-.001, et seq. – here
Hollander aw Firm Article on the topic – here
Visit the Florida government website at Florida.com

Can you legally own a sloth in Indiana?

Is owning a Sloth in Indiana possible? Yes, you should have no problem having a sloth in Indiana.

Exotic pet ownership and possession are both permissive and strict in Indiana.

Sloths are not considered dangerous animals in Indiana, hence they are legal to keep.

In Indiana, sloth ownership requires a special license. There is a state-level process for obtaining a permit.

It may be tough to obtain a permit to keep a sloth in Indiana, but the state is more liberal than other of its neighboring states when it comes to wild animals.

Prior to acquiring a sloth, a prospective owner should confirm with the city government whether or not it is lawful to do so there.

If the animal poses a threat to other animals or to its own health, the permit may be revoked. It’s possible that the sloth’s owner will be evicted if that happens.

It is the responsibility of the animal’s owner to pay for all fees involved with the animal’s seizure or confiscation.

The State of Indiana was formerly known to ban large carnivore animals until this act was reversed in 2015.

You can read some of the rules regarding sloth ownership in Indiana below:

Licensing and permits to become a sloth owner – here
Indiana Administrative Code Title 312. Natural Resources Commission sections 9-11-1 et seq. – here
Indiana Code Title 14. Natural and Cultural Resources sections 14-22-26 et seq. – here
More information can be found at the IN.gov website.

Is it Possible to own a sloth in Kansas?

Can You be a sloth owner in Kansas? Yes, You can become a sloth owner in Kansas.

As cute as a sloth is, it’s possible that owning one as a pet is enticing.

If you’re planning to buy a sloth as a pet in Kansas, you’ll need to verify that it is legal.

A sloth can be a wonderful pet if you provide it with the right environment.

It is possible for sloths if they can adjust quickly to their new environment, to live for as long as 30 years.

In addition, sloths tend to be more sanitary and odor-free than dogs.

However, owning a sloth as a pet comes with its own set of perks and pitfalls.

Exotic animals in the state of Kansas require permits and licensing.

Price will almost probably be expensive due to the rarity of the species.

The state of Kansas has laws against large exotic animals as pets but does not list smaller ones like sloths.

We found some laws regarding sloth ownership in Kansas below:

Kansas Statutes Chapter 32. Wildlife, Parks and Recreation sections 32-1301 et seq – here
Kansas Administrative Regulations Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism section 115-18-10 – here
Visit the Kansas.Gov website to get more information.

Can you own a sloth in Iowa?

Owning a sloth in Iowa is it Possible? Yes, You can be the owner of a sloth in Iowa.

In Iowa, it is illegal to own a “dangerous wild animal”.

According to Iowa Code §717F.1-.13, a dangerous wild animal includes animals such as lions, rhinos, apes, crocodiles, and bears. Sloths are not mentioned.

The State of Iowa gives permission for pet skunks and so do sloths.

However, there are many possible ways you could potentially get in trouble for owning a sloth in Iowa.

If it harmed somebody, there is probably a way they could classify that as an incident involving a dangerous wild animal.

If you purchased it illegally, which is probably the easiest way to attain a sloth, you could face extensive fines and jail time.

Read up on the laws regarding becoming a sloth owner in Iowa below:

Iowa Code Annotated Title 16. Criminal Law and Procedure Chapter 717F sections 1 et seq – here
Visiting Iowa.gov will provide you with more information on the topic.

Is it legal to own a sloth in Louisiana?

Can I get a sloth in Louisiana? Yes, you can get a sloth in Louisiana with a non-transferable permit.

This state restricts the breeding of large carnivores such as wolves, bears, and cougars.

Even large primates like monkeys but there is no mention of sloths.

Laws regarding Louisiana Sloth Ownership are below:

Louisiana Administrative Code Title 76 section 115 – here
For more details visit Louisiana.gov where you can find more information.

Can you own a sloth in Minnesota?

Can I get a Sloth In Minnesota? As of 2022, it is legal to own a two-toed pet sloth in (with a permit), Minnesota, with a health certificate.

This state appears to only ban primates, big cats, and bears, which would obviously leave out sloths.

Laws regarding the Ownership of Sloths are below:

Minnesota Statutes Animals and Property (Ch. 343-348) § 346.155. Possessing regulated animals – Here
Minnesota Statutes Game and Fish (Ch. 97-102) § 97A.015. Definitions – Here
MN.gov has more information if you wish to find out more details.

Are sloths legal to own in Michigan?

Is Owning a Sloth Legal in Michigan? Yes, you can be the owner of a sloth in the State of Michigan.

Thankfully, Michigan appears to have little regulation for exotic pets, which would include sloths.

The law states that possession of wolf-dog hybrids, lions, tigers, cougars, cheetahs, leopards, jaguars, panthers, and bears is illegal in the state of Michigan.

This includes the importation of these animals, except under special exceptions.

You can find the articles below with a tad more information, but its really not much regarding the topic.

Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 287. Animal Industry § 287.1101 – Here
Exotic, Circus, and Zoo Animals – Here
Michigan.org has more information if you would like to learn more.

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Can you own a sloth in Mississippi?

Is Owning a Sloth in Mississippi allowed? As far as we can tell… yes you can have a sloth of your own in this state.

The State of Mississippi only has regulations for animals that are termed “dangerous”, known as lions, bears, tigers, wolves, and so on.

This definitely excludes sloths so you should not have any problems here.

Laws generally limit the import and export of animals. Possession is generally allowed unless it is specifically not allowed.

You cannot have a pet alligator in Mississippi. You will need a permit for any other “inherently dangerous” animals.

Laws that we found regarding this topic are…

Mississippi Code Title 49. Conservation and Ecology § 49-8-1. Legislative intent and findings – here
Chapter 8 – Regulations regarding animals in captivity and enclosures – Here
You can find current laws and regulations at Mississippi.gov.

Are sloths legal to own in Montana?

The two-toed sloths are mentioned specifically in this state as an uncontrolled species. This makes them legal here.

Due to ever-changing laws, you should check out Montana.gov for the latest laws just to make sure.

Owning a sloth in Missouri is it legal?

Sloths are not included as part of the dangerous animals mentioned in this state.

They are probably legal here but just to be safe visit MO.gov to get the latest.

Can you own a sloth in Nevada?

The state of Nevada has lenient regulations for exotic pets such as tigers, lions, elephants, and bears where they can be legally owned.

Although some native animals and the two-pound fennec foxes aren’t.

Sloths are however legal to own due to ever-changing laws please visit NV.gov for more info.

Are sloths legal to own as pets in New York?

Currently, the only prohibited exotic animals considered dangerous are banners in New York.

Bears, Wild Cats, Wild Dogs, and primates are included n this ban.

Sloths not being included in this dangerous list are likely legal.

Likely but just to be safe visit NY.gov for the latest laws, rules, and regulations.

Is it legal to own a sloth in North Carolina?

Many animals are legal in this state including bears, large reptiles, and even big cats.

Sloths are legal to be owned in North Carolina. This was the last time we checked, but rules and regulations change, so please visit NC.gov for the latest details.

Can you own a sloth in Ohio?

Owning your very own sloth in Ohio should be no problem even though there is a ban on exotic pets due to an incident where a mentally derailed individual released his large carnivore animal into the street.

This ban, however, does not include owning a sloth. Ohio.gov will provide you with more details.

Is it legal to own a sloth in South Carolina?

In South Carolina, there have been many laws concerning exotic pets that have been passed in this state but owning sloths should still be legal. Visit SC.gov for more info.

Owning a Sloth in South Dakota

Sloths in this state are only legal if you have a veterinary certificate of inspection. SD.gov will have more information.

Can you own a sloth in Texas?

Yes, it is very legal to be the owner of a sloth in Texas.

Although large carnivores and foxes are not legal in this state, sloths are definitely legal here.

Texas is a very relaxed state when it comes to owning exotic pets.

You can find more details at Texas.gov.

Can you own a sloth in West Virginia?

Laws concerning exotic pets have been passed in West Virginia that probably does not include a sloth.

Visit WV.gov to see if the laws have changed since last we posted this article.

Can You Own a Sloth in Washington State?

Sloth is also legal in Washington state because they are not named in the exotic pet law.

Again, rules, laws, and regulations change so please visit WA.gov for all the latest details.

Notice: This is for reference, please contact your local authorities to make sure if you can own or not a sloth in your state. Laws may vary by City, County, and State.

If you did not see your state on this list, please remember that this is just a regular guide regarding whether you are able to own one of these adorable creatures in the US.

If you are very serious about owning your very own sloth please contact your Wild Life Department in your state.

READ – 40 States To See a Sloth in America– Where Can You See Sloth in The US? Is there any sloth near me? Most people do not know that you can see a sloth and in certain locations even hold a sloth and have a Sloth Encounter here in the United States. Read Article Here.