How often do sloths poop?
About once a week. According to the Smithsonian's National Zoo, two-toed sloths have such slow metabolisms that they typically defecate only once a week, climbing down to a habitual spot at the base of their tree.
What's actually true
Sloths poop about once a week, and climb down to do it. Sloths live life in slow motion, and that includes digestion. The Smithsonian's National Zoo says their metabolisms are so slow that they typically defecate only once a week. They lower themselves to the base of their tree to do it, at a habitual spot. Coming down to the ground is otherwise rare for them.
Takeaway: Two-toed sloths go about once a week, at the foot of their tree.
Why people believe it
Most people assume an animal that eats every day must also go every day, so the weekly schedule sounds like a joke. Sloths also look like they never leave the branches, which makes the trip to the ground surprising. Their slowness is often filed under 'lazy', but it's a low-energy lifestyle, and the rare bathroom trip is part of the same slow metabolism.
Source
“Their metabolisms are so slow that sloths typically only defecate once a week”
Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute: Two-toed sloth — Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. Checked on 2026-10-26.