What Is a Group of Sloths Called? It's About as Cuddly As They Are

Much like this sloth, we didn't see that one coming. BETO SANTILLAN / Shutterstock

If you've ever seen a sloth move, you know they take their time. So it might be surprising to learn there's a collective noun for them at all.

But what is a group of sloths called? The answer is just as cozy as the animals themselves.

While sloths are famously solitary in the wild, people have still come up with a term to describe gatherings of these slow-moving mammals. And the resounding winner? A snuggle.

A Snuggle of Sloths

The most popular term is a snuggle of sloths. It’s not an official scientific label, but it’s the one that’s stuck in popular culture. Given their gentle nature and the way they might appear bundled in trees, the term fits their laid-back vibe.

You won't often see a large group of sloths in nature. These animals prefer to be alone, especially the two commonly recognized types: the two-toed and three-toed sloths.

Still, in captivity or in rehabilitation centers, small groups can occasionally be spotted, giving rise to the snuggle imagery.

Are There Other Terms for Sloths?

While "snuggle" is the most popular collective term, it's not officially recognized in dictionaries or scientific literature. You might also hear "bed" used informally to describe a group of sloths, though it's far less common.

The lack of a long-standing term is partly due to behavior. Sloths are not herd animals. They don’t move in flocks or packs. So while collective names exist for game animals like deer, squirrels, or bears, sloths haven’t needed one for most of their evolutionary course.

Still, the rise of social media, wildlife videos, and educational posts has helped popularize "snuggle," especially among people who enjoy fun animal facts.

How Do Collective Nouns Start?

Many collective nouns come from historical usage, particularly from the Late Middle Ages. One major source is the "Book of Saint Albans," a 15th-century text that included poetic terms to describe animal groupings. That’s where we get terms like:

A parliament of owls
A murder of crows
A gaggle of geese (on land)
A school of fish

Sometimes the names reflect behavior, like a crash of rhinos or a mob of kangaroos. Other times, like with sloths, they reflect how humans feel about the animals, not so much how the animals act.

A Word on Invented Terms

Collective nouns aren’t always official. Some were created for fun, as in "a conspiracy of lemurs" or "a zeal of zebras." These often stick when they capture the spirit of the animal or gain popularity through books, games, or wildlife advocacy.

With sloths, their cuddly reputation and slow-motion antics make "snuggle" a fitting term. It may not be recognized by scientists, but it certainly resonates with the public.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.