Get ready for your heart to melt!
This group of orphaned doe-eyed baby sloths learning to climb are captivatingly cute.
Zoologist and broadcaster Lucy Cooke filmed this adorable footage during a visit to the Toucan Rescue Ranch in Costa Rica.
The wildlife rehabilitation centre uses a rocking chair to help teach the orphaned baby sloths how to climb as the swaying motion is similar to a tree.
Lucy, who has been called the ‘Spielberg' of sloth documentaries, has released a calendar dedicated to the super cute mammals.
The Sussex-born filmmaker spoke about her love for these laidback creatures of habit “I love taking photos of sloths - they have such characterful faces. Most animals all look the same, but sloths, like dogs, are real individuals - no two look the same.
“I was out in Costa Rica taking photos for my sloth calendar and I was particularly charmed by the Toucan Rescue Ranch and this novel method they have for teaching the sloths how to climb because I've not really come across that before.
“As a zoologist I love their eccentric biology but I think you cannot resist an animal that was born to hug and has a natural smile.”
Sloths in captivity can sleep up to 20 hours a day and according to a study by Swansea University, the cuddly creatures almost always hang upside down because their organs are fixed to their ribcage.
Lucy thinks that overworked humans can learn a lot from the relaxed lifestyle enjoyed by sloths “The sloth is an energy-saving totem for the 21st century with much to teach us."
“We'd all like to spend more time resting and snoozing, so the sloth is a strangely aspirational animal, we could all do with slowing down, it would be better for us and the planet."
“I think that's why the sloth calendar is so popular, it's a reminder to be more mindful and mellow, plus those smiles are just so adorable.”
Sloths
To find out more about Lucy's calendar and information on how to join the Sloth Appreciation Society see here.