Listen: Meet St. Louis talks with St. Louis Aquarium director Coconut is a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth who will be a year old on Feb. She was born in human care and came to the aquarium. It's no wonder, I mean sloths are pretty darn cute and the Saint Louis Zoo is home to two of them. Blondie hangs around in the primate house. Camden is the one often curled up in the Children's Zoo.
ST. LOUIS (KMOV.com) – Coconut the sloth is the newest addition to the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station.
[Listen: Meet St. Louis talks with St. Louis Aquarium director]
Coconut is a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth who will be a year old on Feb. 20, 2020. She was born in human care and came to the aquarium from another zoological facility.
[WATCH: Meet the piranhas at the St. Louis aquarium]
Coconut is a new animal ambassador at the St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station. Animal ambassadors are brought out to the public daily, but Coconut’s appearances will be random until animal care managers feel comfortable that a stable foundation has been established. Guests who want to see Coconut should check the aquarium’s social media accounts for updates and animal ambassador schedules.
St Louis Union Station
What is it about sloths? The adorable mammals join the ranks of llamas and Corgis as an animal with a devoted (dare we say, 'obsessive'?) fanbase. If you're a part of that club, read on.
The St. Louis Aquarium at Union Station debuted a baby sloth on Monday, as part of their animal ambassador program. Coconut, a Linnaeus’ two-toed sloth who will turn 1 on February 20, enjoyed breakfast with an audience as part of her first public showing. As she eats, families can listen as one of her care managers details fun facts about her species. As part of an educational program, Coconut joins other rotating animals—such as sugar gliders and ball pythons—who come out for a brief period in an exhibit space on the second floor of the recently opened Aquarium.
St Louis Arch
Photography by Samantha Stevenson
Here are 8 more things to know about Union Station's newest friend:
1. Coconut was given that name when an employee noted the resemblance between her head and the fruit.
2. She came to the Aquarium from another zoological institution where she was born in human care.
3. Coconut weighs just a little more than 2.5 pounds.
4. She sleeps 20 hours a day, which is the norm for a baby sloth. (Can we trade lives?)
5. Her animal care managers say she reminds them of a human baby. She even lets out small cries when she's hungry or wants attention.
6. Coconut quite literally hangs with her care managers, or on them, we should say. It will help her learn to mimic their natural behaviors.
7. Sloths tend to do things on their own, but the youngsters usually stay near their mothers for the first one to two years of their lives, staying close for up to four years.
8. Coconut's animal managers are currently working to establish a relationship with her. The goal is that she'll grow to make regular public appearances. If they sense that Coconut is stressed while on display, they will cut the presentation short.
St Louis Aquarium Pictures
For the best shot at seeing Coconut, families should look to the Aquarium's social media (@aquariumstl) for updates and animal ambassador schedules.