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Watch: Baby sloth tastes carrot for the first time

Elio was born on April 30 at London Zoo.
Elio was born on April 30 at London Zoo. Elio was born on April 30 at London Zoo.

Visitors to London Zoo will have the chance to see a tiny baby sloth clinging on to its mum.

Elio, a two-toed sloth, was born to mum Marilyn on April 30 after a near year-long pregnancy and is already on display to visitors in the park’s Rainforest Life habitat.

ZSL sloth keeper Steve Goodwin said: “Sloths are elusive animals, resting in the tops of trees, so to witness such a unique moment is very rare.

“Sloths have a long gestation period so the infants are already physically well-developed when they’re born. Incredibly, this means they are able to eat solid food right away.”

Footage from London Zoo captured this week shows the youngster, whose sex is not yet known, getting their first taste of boiled carrots, a particular favourite of mum Marilyn’s.

Elio the baby sloth clinging to their mother
Elio the baby sloth clinging to their mother Baby sloths like Elio are born with the ability to eat solid food (ZSL)

A hair DNA test will be performed on Elio to determine whether they are a boy or a girl.

Elio – a name which derives from sun god Helios – was given the name because they arrived at sunset.

According to ZSL, young sloths tend to stay with their mother for around a year before venturing out on their own.

The nocturnal mammals are native to South America and spend most of their lives hanging upside down from trees.