Baby Sloth Born At San Diego Zoo

SAN DIEGO, CA — A baby sloth was born earlier this summer at the San Diego Zoo, the zoo announced Thursday. The female sloth was born June 25 to mother Xena.

The sloth, who has yet to be named, is doing well. She is "instinctively clinging to her mother, nursing and gaining strength each day," the zoo said.

"We are thrilled and honored to have this baby sloth in our care," said Clint Lusardi, the zoo's wildlife care manager.

"Xena is taking excellent care of her baby as it continues to grow and thrive every day," Lusardi added. "Our team of wildlife care specialists have been interacting with Xena and the baby from day one and we are proud to slowly start introducing the little one to our guests, giving them the chance to learn about this amazing species."

The sloth is a Linné's two-toed sloth. The animals live in the tropical and cloud forests of Central and South America, according to the zoo. They are classified as a species of "least concern" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species.

The baby sloth has spent the past month bonding with her mom, who was also born at the zoo in 2013. Xena is one of the zoo's "most popular" Rady wildlife ambassadors, according to the zoo.

The baby will nurse for about six months. She began eating solid foods at just a few days old and was hanging upside down on her own at around 25 days old, according to the zoo. Xena and her baby live at the zoo's Denny Sanford Wildlife Explorers Basecamp, which opened earlier this year.