In 2012, actress Kristen Bell gushed on The Ellen Show about her love of sloths after her husband (then boyfriend) Dax Shepard arranged an encounter for her to meet them — and people fully embraced their inner sloth obsession. That fascination has only grown since then, with tourists seeking out sloth sanctuaries on tropical trips abroad. But now, sloth lovers won’t need a passport to get up close and a little personal with these beloved creatures.

In February 2026, the world’s first “Slotharium” will open in Orlando, Florida, called Sloth World. Guests will be able to explore an indoor rainforest habitat designed for more than 40 sloths.

What can visitors expect?

Patrons on their sloth pilgrimage can expect a guided walk-through experience right in the midst of the animals’ living habitat. There are no cages or glass barriers, and the sloths are free to live at their own pace without glaring disruptions. The layout mimics their natural environment, and guests are invited to walk through and observe them as they move about.

While there are no one-on-one encounters available due to ethical conservation and animal well-being concerns, visitors will still get to see sloths in a way they likely never would have before. Tickets are currently priced at $49, and hopeful patrons can purchase them in advance. Those interested are encouraged to book early, as the sanctuary expects the first three to four months to sell out completely.

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Why no touch?

As adorable as videos of sloths cuddling humans may be, the truth is that touching them is highly unethical. Sloths are extremely sensitive animals that have evolved to live quietly in the forest canopy, free from stress and stimulation. Human handling can intensify stress responses.

Though sloths often freeze when frightened, this reaction masks what’s happening internally — their blood pressure spikes, sleep cycles are disrupted, and their immune systems can be negatively affected.

Some sanctuaries offer opportunities to feed sloths, but touching them is prohibited at reputable establishments that prioritize animal welfare.

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Other animal encounters in Florida

If you’re hoping to experience more than just sloths, Florida offers a wide range of ethical wildlife habitats and educational encounters, especially for animal lovers.

• ZooTampa at Lowry Park (Tampa) — An AZA-accredited zoo focused on conservation, rehabilitation, and education, including manatee care and animal talks.

• Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens (Sanford) — An AZA-accredited zoo offering limited, staff-guided encounters that emphasize learning and animal welfare.

• Monkey Jungle (Miami) — A primate park where monkeys roam freely in forested habitats while visitors observe from enclosed walkways.

• Giraffe Ranch (Dade City) — An open-savanna wildlife preserve offering guided safari tours and educational animal-feeding experiences.

• Chase Sanctuary & Wildlife Conservancy (Webster) — A nonprofit rescue sanctuary focused on rare primates and conservation education through guided tours.

• Lubee Bat Conservancy (Gainesville) — A conservation center dedicated to protecting fruit bats, offering educational tours without hands-on interaction.

• Seacrest Wolf Preserve (Chipley) — A rescue and education facility where visitors can observe wolves and other rescued wildlife in spacious enclosures.

• Big Bend Power Plant Manatee Viewing Area (Apollo Beach) — A free, protected viewing site where visitors can observe manatees during winter without disturbing them.

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This story was originally published by TravelHost on Dec 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.