Welcome to Sloth Valley
Welcome to Sloth Valley, where you can come face-to-face with one of the world’s most fascinating creatures.
MEET OUR SLOTHS
Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach is home to a pair of two-toed sloths, Rico and Cleo. Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths are typically larger than their three-toed cousins and are also known as “unau,” said to come from the Tupí word for slow or lazy.
Meet Rico
Rico is suave. Cool, calm, and collected, he uses his charm for the ultimate reward — his favorite treat, butternut squash!
Meet Cleo
The Queen of the Canopy, “Cleo” does what she wants, when she wants. What she wants is usually a nap or fruit snack, often falling asleep with food in her mouth!
ANIMAL CARE
Sloth Valley provides the highest standard of animal care for Rico and Cleo.
- Look closely and you’ll see enrichment toys for the sloths to work on their puzzle-solving skills.
- Listen and you’ll hear rainforest sounds meant to mimic their natural environment and keep them stimulated.
- Look up and notice the vines and branches are meticulously placed to allow for a sloth to have plenty of mobility and resting spots.
- And even step inside with a Sloth Encounter and feel the humidity of the rainforest!
GET EVEN CLOSER
Sloth Encounters
Attention sloth lovers! Get ready to be transported to a tropical rainforest with our brand-new Sloth Encounters! Guided by a Ripley’s expert, you’ll be taken behind the scenes of the Aquarium to learn about its inner workings and how we care for our animals. After your tour, step inside Sloth Valley with an experienced Keeper to hang out with Rico and Cleo, our two-toed sloths, during their feeding time. Your Keeper will teach you everything there is to know about our new pals!
At Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach, we give our Animal Ambassadors the choice to participate in interactive experiences with caring guests, like you! If an animal needs rest or does not feel like participating, then we respect their choice. The comfort and safety of our animals and our guests is always our top priority. Thank you for understanding!
COST: $100 +tax per person
AVAILABILITY: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 1:00 p.m.
Encounter Information
- Maximum of 4 participants per encounter.
- Must be 4 years or older to participate.
- Children ages 8 and under must be accompanied by a participating paid adult.
- Guests must check in at Guest Services no later than 20 minutes before their scheduled encounter.
- Sloth Encounters, including the behind-the-scenes tour, are approximately 45 minutes long.
- This Encounter does not include Aquarium admission and is an add-on to your Aquarium ticket. Aquarium admission must be purchased to participate in this Encounter.
SAVING A SPECIES
Did you know it is estimated that 80% of the planet’s land-dwelling species live in forests? This makes deforestation one of the biggest extinction risks to many animals. With their slow speeds and gentle nature, sloths are extremely vulnerable. Our world is changing fast, and sloths — among many other animals — need your help to keep up. Visit Ripley’s Aquarium of Myrtle Beach to learn what you can do to protect our natural world.
SLOTH FUN FACTS
