Sloths are not aggressive and rarely pose a danger to people if left alone, but they can cause serious injury if handled, threatened, or stressed. Their long, strong claws and powerful bite can inflict deep wounds that may become badly infected, so they should always be treated as wild animals and not touched or held.

How sloths can be dangerous

When sloths feel threatened, they defend themselves with:

• Very strong forelimbs and large claws capable of causing deep scratches and tissue damage.

• Sharp teeth that can bite through human flesh and even bone, creating puncture wounds that are difficult to clean.

These injuries can introduce bacteria and other pathogens, so medical attention is recommended after a bite or serious scratch.

When they are usually safe

In the wild, sloths are shy, solitary, and prefer to stay high in trees, avoiding confrontation with humans. They are not predators and do not seek out people to attack; most incidents happen when someone tries to hold, pet, or otherwise handle them. Observing sloths from a distance and not treating them as pets or photo props keeps both people and the animals safer.