New York In this state so-called dangerous animals are specifically defined, thankfully leaving sloths out.However, tiny 2 pound fennec foxes and a few native animals aren’t. Nevada This state is famous for being one of the most lenient states for exotic pets where lions, bears, and elephants are technically legal.Missouri So-called dangerous animals are specifically defined here and don’t include sloths, so they are probably legal.Montana Two-toed sloths are specifically mentioned as being an uncontrolled species, so they are definitely legal.Mississippi This is a state that regulates “dangerous” animals and sloths are not included.Michigan Thankfully, Missouri appears to have little regulation for exotic pets, which would include sloths.Minnesota This state appears to only ban primates, big cats, and bears, which would obviously leave out sloths.Also included are large primates, squirrels, some bigger ungulates, and skunks. Louisiana For this state, there is a list of prohibited animals that are mostly large carnivores such as bears, wolves, and cougars.Iowa This state allows captive-bred pet skunks, and possibly sloths.Kansas This state recognizes so-called dangerous wild animals but does not list smaller animals like kinkajous and sloths.But sloths should be legal as they are not regulated as dangerous wild animals. Indiana Indiana is a state that used to ban animals like large carnivores until 2015, when that law was reversed, and it has possibly re-reversed again.Luckily, many smaller exotic animals are legal with a permit in this state. This permit is no-cost and pretty simple to acquire, so there is no issue in that. Florida Sloths are definitely legal in Florida if you get a permit for a Class 3 animal.Alabama This state has pretty lax laws and even tigers may be legal (a few other animals like deer aren’t), so sloths should be okay.You will have to check not only with your state, but your county, city or town, and neighborhood association if you live in one. Unfortunately, even state workers can provide false information, so finding out the truth can frustrating. This is a list of states where sloths are probably legal, based on the limited information available. State laws addressing exotic or wild animal possession frequently change and if you are serious about getting a sloth, you should find out if they are legal for sure. This brief description of their care should dissuade most people from thinking a sloth can make a good pet. Most importantly, sloths are easily stressed and can have their welfare compromised from too much handling. Sloths should not be kept in a simple parrot cage unless it is an extra large, double macaw enclosure that is at least 6 feet tall. Their diet is complex and not completely understood, so the owner must do thorough research and contact zoos that are keeping them if possible. All sloths require special temperatures and levels of humidity that must be maintained at all times. Three-toed sloths are the species that have black ‘tear marks’ under their eyes, and even zoos have great difficulty keeping them alive. Only the two-toed sloth is possible to own in the United States. In general, sloths make poor pets for the large majority of pet owners, but a few dedicated individuals can have success if they have experience with other difficult exotic animals. Adult sloths are often wild-caught and inexperienced owners should avoid them at all costs. Sloths are costly animals and are typically priced around $6000 for a captive-bred baby. Sometimes exotic pet stores sell them, which is a questionable practice, but this is extremely uncommon. There are quite a few states where sloth ownership is legal, but finding a dealer to sell you one might be a bit difficult. Sloths can be cute, but they are one of the more challenging exotic pets to keep alive and thriving in captivity. Recently, sloth rescues in Costa Rica have circulated adorable images of baby sloths wearing pajamas for medical reasons. They are rapidly gaining popularity due to their perceived “chill persona” and strange attributes, such as their fur that hosts its own ecosystem with growing symbiotic moss. Sloths are slow-moving, fascinating creatures that inhabit the tree tops of the jungles in South America.