Three-toed sloth
Laid-back three-toed sloths spend their days hanging out in trees, nibbling on leaves, and sleeping from 15 to 20 hours a day.
Native to Central and South America, these arboreal mammals dedicate only around 10 percent of their time to movement thanks to a very slow metabolism that burns about 110 calories a day.
Their pace is so remarkably sluggish that when they climb down to the ground to take a trip to the bathroom, they move at a mere 8 feet per minute (2.4 meters).
However, their weak hind legs and long claws make them an easy catch for predators, prompting them to spend most of their time in their canopies. There, they can double up their speed to approximately 15 feet (4.6 meters) per minute.
2. Galapagos giant tortoise
The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) holds the title of the largest living tortoise species, reaching up to 919 pounds (417 kilograms) in weight.
These long-lived reptiles boast a lifespan ranging from 100 to 150 years.
However, due to their massive size, heavy shells, and metabolic rate adapted for energy conservation, giant tortoises move very slowly, typically from 0.2 to 0.3 miles per hour (0.3 to 0.5 kilometers per hour).
Gila monster
The Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), which is the world’s slowest lizard, can reach up to 22 inches (56 centimeters) in length.
These unique creatures are recognizable from their black and pinkish-orange color and bead-like scales, which help with camouflage in their arid habitat. They spend most of their days resting underground and accumulate significant fat reserves.