Stinky show of affection for lovestruck Sussex sloths
The new arrival's spent a very different Valentine's from us
Some of us say it with flowers... but the rules of attraction work a little differently for two lovestruck sloths at a Sussex wildlife park.
Halina arrived at Drusillas Park zoo at Alfriston a few weeks ago from the Tierpark in Berlin in Germany.
Since then she's been getting to know her opposite number, Sophocles, a little better - through a rather strange manner of courtship.
Before they met face to face the two began bonding in a very unusual way... by exchanging poo to make friends.
Keepers spent the first few weeks of the sloth’s introduction, swapping their poo between their enclosures.
Mark Kenward, Zoo Animal Manger at Drusillas Park, said:
“Exchanging poo with a prospective roommate or partner might seem like an odd idea to a human, but not to a sloth!
"Swapping stools actually helps the sloths get to know each other and get used to each other. Smell is an incredibly important sense for animals.
"Poo in particular provides a little parcel of information about the animal who left it. It’s a bit like a postage stamp as to who has been around.”
“This sort of olfactory enrichment gives the impression of another sloth being in the area, and prepares each of them for an encounter. We call this a soft introduction.
"They learn enough about the other to be comfortable meeting face to face.”
Once the poo swap had run its course, the two sloths were placed next to each other with a mesh divider separating them.
Able not just to smell but to see, hear and nearly touch their new neighbour, Sophocles and Halina started to get used to each other.
Mark Kenward added:
“We were so excited when Tierpark Zoo in Berlin told us that their female sloth Halina was also looking to find a mate; we knew she would be the perfect match for Soph!
"Halina is three years old and ready to start a family so we’re very hopeful to hear the slow patter of baby sloth feet in the future!
"Halina is just the most beautiful sloth and we are so happy to have her as part of our zoo family.”