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Zoo Atlanta's new baby sloth has a name after 2,000 submissions from the public

The name "Rolo" pays homage to his parents, mother Nutella and his father Cocoa.

ATLANTA — A baby sloth born at Zoo Atlanta has just received its name after 2,000 name suggestions from the general public.

Out of the name recommendations, members of the Zoo Sloth Care Team choose a name for the baby sloth: "Rolo."

“We look forward to watching Rolo grow up as he helps us tell the story of these fascinating animals and their place in wild ecosystems,” Gina Ferrie with Zoo Atlanta said in the press release.

The name "Rolo" pays homage to his parents, mother Nutella and his father Cocoa. 

"Rolo" was born on Aug. 9, 2024, and he is the sloth's second child, but the first male sloth born at Zoo Atlanta. 

"Rolo" is a "Hoffman's two-toed sloth," which faces threats in the wild. 

They native to Central and South America, but Atlanta Zoo points to illegal logging and other issues. 

The zoo opened up submissions between Oct. 24, 2024 and Nov. 1, 2024. 

According to Zoo Atlanta, the pregnancy process for sloths is interesting. 

Infants develop at "a notably more rapid pace" than most other mammal babies, zoo Atlanta says. When they are born, they are also fully furred, with their eyes open and teeth present. They also already have claws, too. 

If you want to say hello to "Rolo," he can be found at the Zoo's Brazilian Outpost section of the Orkin Children's Zoo, Zoo Atlanta said. 

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