Inked Mag Staff
September 8th, 2020
Take Things Slow with 40 Charming Sloth Tattoos
Are you as crazy about sloths as we are?
When you hear a tattoo artist works like a sloth, this is rarely a good thing. Sloths are known for being the slowest animals in the world, moving at a glacial speed of 0.003 miles per hour—if they even move at all. Sloths inhabit tropical rain forests in South and Central America, with the two main genus being three-toed and two-toed sloths split into six extant species. Because of their incredibly slow movements, sloths have evolved to have extremely low metabolisms and go undetected by predators through camouflaging green algae that grows on their fur.
Three-toed sloths are divided into four species: Pygmy, Maned, Pale-throated and Brown-throated three-toed sloths. Their diet consists of leaves and they have the slowest digestion of any animal on the planet. Three-toed sloths are the only surviving relatives of the Megatheriidae, a family of extinct ground sloths that lived 23 million years ago. They weighed more than five tons and reached up to 17 feet in height, making them taller than the African bush elephant.
Two-toed sloths are divided into two species: Linnaeus’s and Hoffmann’s two-toed sloths. Their diet consists of insects, carrion, fruit, leaves and small lizards. They spend most of their lives hanging upside down in trees and said to be the descendents of the Mylodontidae, an extinct ground sloth that lived 23 million years ago.
In honor of all the sloth lovers out there (we’re looking at you, Kristen Bell) take a look at 40 of our favorite sloth tattoos from talented tattooers around the world.
Editor's Picks
Met Gala 2025: The Best Tattooed Celebrity Looks
At the 2025 Met Gala, inked celebrities like Rihanna, Cardi B, and Lewis Hamilton proved tattoos are the ultimate high-fashion accessory.
May the 4th Ink Be With You: Best Star Wars Tattoos for Superfans
Celebrate Star Wars Day with tattoos that showcase the Force—from Darth Vader portraits to minimalist Baby Yoda ink. May the ink be with you!
Diplo, Jelly Roll, Zach Bryan, and More: Highlights from Stagecoach 2025
Stagecoach 2025 delivered epic performances, unforgettable moments, and nonstop energy under the desert skies of Indio, California.
More From News Content
A Game-Changing Innovation for Tattoo Artists
May 13, 2025
Tattoo Insurance Mistakes Artists Still Make
May 5, 2025
Gifts She’ll Love: Mother’s Day Picks from Inked
April 28, 2025
