We can't quite put our finger on just what makes a baby sloth so cute. Is it the wide-set eyes? The fuzzy little faces? The noses vaguely reminiscent of dogs' noses? (We feel fairly confident in saying that it's not the giant claws.)
Whatever the mystery ingredients are that combine to make baby sloths adorable, we're thankful that there are creatures like this out there, and equally thankful that there are animal lovers dedicated to saving them.
At the Aviarios Sloth Sanctuary in Costa Rica, a team of dedicated folks tend to orphaned and sick or injured sloths of both the two-toed and three-toed varieties. Aviarios even offers tours to the public and an "adoption" program, through which sloth lovers (you know who you are) can provide financial assistance to the sanctuary and learn more about its work.
See more baby-sloth photos after the jump!
A rescued baby sloth rests over a stuffed toy at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned and injured sloths. The sloths receive rehabilitation before being returned to the forest, according to Judy Arroyo, a co-owner of the sanctuary. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate
A rescued baby sloth sunbathes at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned and injured sloths. The sloths receive rehabilitation before being returned to the forest, according to Judy Arroyo, a co-owner of the sanctuary. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate
Two rescued baby sloths are pictured at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned and injured sloths. The sloths receive rehabilitation before being returned to the forest, according to Judy Arroyo, a co-owner of the sanctuary. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate
A baby sloth is fed by Xinia Villegas at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned and injured sloths. The sloths receive rehabilitation before being returned to the forest, according to Judy Arroyo, a co-owner of the sanctuary. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate
A rescued baby sloth receives a bath by Teresa Gonzales at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned and injured sloths. The sloths receive rehabilitation before being returned to the forest, according to Judy Arroyo, a co-owner of the sanctuary. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate
A rescued baby sloth rests at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita de Limon August 25, 2010. The center shelters over 100 orphaned and injured sloths. The sloths receive rehabilitation before being returned to the forest, according to Judy Arroyo, a co-owner of the sanctuary. REUTERS/Juan Carlos Ulate