We are in the Bocas Del Toro archipelago. The islands are home to much wildlife: howler and capuchin monkeys, sea turtles, poisoned dart frogs, and many more. But today, we talk about sloth.

They are unique creatures, docile symbols of the islands and the island life. We ran into one on our recent walk. We talk about their habits, habitats, and unique symbioses - mammalian-plant mutualism.

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Episode summary:

In this episode of Blue Planet Travel Banter, we dive into one of our favorite topics—the sloths of Isla Colón. These peaceful, slow-moving animals have fascinated us for years, and we share some of the most surprising things we’ve learned. From their habit of only coming down from trees once a week to poop, to the green algae that grows in their fur as camouflage, sloths are full of quiet complexity. That algae isn’t just for show—it forms part of a remarkable plant-animal mutualism, one of the only known examples in mammals.

We also recount a personal encounter with a sloth that had wandered onto the forest floor and was being harassed by a couple of dogs. After chasing the dogs off, we helped the sloth back into a tree and contacted a local rescue group to make sure it was okay. Watching the sloth move so slowly, unsure if it was injured or just doing what sloths do, reminded us how vulnerable and misunderstood these creatures are—especially on islands like Colón, where dogs, roads, and shrinking habitats create constant threats.

Throughout the episode, we talk about where you can find sloths on Isla Colón—places like Playa Bluff, Big Creek, and near cecropia trees, their favorite hangouts. We offer tips for spotting them in the wild (bring binoculars and a lot of patience!) and reflect on why these animals mean so much to us. In their stillness and simplicity, sloths model a kind of natural mindfulness—and remind us that slowing down isn’t always a bad thing.

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