Hanging with the Sloth New Documentary on Natures Most Charming Mammal



Choices, Inc. announces the release of Hanging With the Sloth, a new documentary about nature's8217;s most charming, and least understood, mammal. The sloth is a remarkable, highly specialized animal and is often misunderstood due to its unique appearance and slow movement. Many people often associate the sloth with its namesake, the deadly sin. Sloths were described by the French naturalist Georges Buffon in 1772 as 's8220;the lowest form of existence. One more defect would have made their existence entirely impossible.'s8221; In this new film, filmed in Costa Rica and Panama, director Jeri Ledbetter dispels the myths and introduces audiences to this amazing creature. Viewers will learn first-hand about the history behind one of nature's8217;s true wonders from its earliest discovery to the present-day rescue efforts.

's8220;There is very little information available about sloths,'s8221; Ledbetter says. 's8220;And much of what has been printed is incorrect.'s8221; With less than 50% of the muscle mass one would expect for a creature of its size, the sloth is physically incapable of rapid movement, but is remarkably well adapted to life in the trees. Sloths live in the rainforest canopies of South America, subsisting mainly on a diet of leaves and sleeping up to eighteen hours a day. In the morning they rise and climb to the top of their tree to soak in the sunlight, recharging through solar energy. Their hair is a complete ecosystem, providing nourishment and shelter for several species of algae, ticks, and beetles. These characteristics, along with the sloth's8217;s permanent smile, have caused it to become a symbol of ecological and social conscientiousness: they lead a low-energy, cyclical, symbiotic and non-violent lifestyle in harmony with the earth.

In Hanging With the Sloth, Ledbetter embraces the philosophy of the sloth as well as the animal. In these days of high stress, fast food, and cheap sound bites, there is much we can learn from the sloth; their meditative calmness comes as the perfect antidote to a bleak day. Jeri explains, 's8220;They aren's8217;t lazy; they are calm and deliberate. They remain completely at peace, no matter what is going on around them.'s8221;

Larry Rattner, co-president of Choices, commented, 's8220;We look forward to bringing this important film to a larger audience.'s8221; Choices, Inc. will release Hanging With the Sloth on DVD October 5, 2006. The DVD'ss special features include a photo gallery and a lesson plan/guidebook for educators. The film is available online at www.choicesvideo.net. SRP is $49.95.

About Choices: Choices, Inc. is a specialty distributor of quality documentaries, educational programming, and feature films. The company believes that documentaries are highly effective teaching tools, and provides both lesson plans and guidebooks as a resource for educators. More information is available online at www.choicesvideo.net.





Hanging with the Sloth New Documentary on Natures Most Charming Mammal