10 of the slowest animals in the world

Let’s take a closer (and slower) look at some of nature’s most leisurely movers.

Sloths

Sloths are pretty much the poster animals for slow living. They move so slowly that algae grows on their fur, a neat little camouflage trick that helps them blend into the trees.

With a top speed of just 0.15 miles per hour, sloths spend most of their lives hanging upside down, sleeping up to 15 hours a day. Their low-energy diet of leaves means they have little choice but to take life at a leisurely pace.

Snails

Snails glide on a trail of mucus, moving at a pace of about 0.03 miles per hour. They’re built for slow travel, with their muscular “foot” helping them move ever so gently across surfaces.

Sure, they might not win any races, but they’re perfectly designed for their way of life.

Giant tortoises

With their hefty shells and lumbering steps, giant tortoises aren’t exactly in a hurry.

The Galápagos tortoise, for example, ambles along at around 0.2 miles per hour. They’ve been known to live well over a century, so maybe they’re onto something with their slow-and-steady lifestyle.

Starfish

Watching a starfish move is like watching time stand still. They shuffle along the ocean floor using tiny tube feet, creeping at a pace of about 0.09 miles per hour. It’s slow going, but in the underwater world of coral reefs, there’s no rush.

Watching a starfish move is like watching time stand still. (Source: Freepik)

Banana slugs

Bright yellow and endlessly slimy, banana slugs crawl through the forest at a crawl, just a few inches per minute. These critters might be slow, but they play a big role in their ecosystem, breaking down dead plant matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.

Seahorses

Seahorses aren’t exactly built for speed. They float along at around 0.01 miles per hour, often clinging to seaweed with their tails to avoid drifting off. Their slow movement helps them stay hidden from predators in the underwater world.

Sea Anemones

If you blink, you’ll miss it. Actually, even if you stare, you’ll probably miss it. Sea anemones are among the slowest movers on Earth, shifting less than one centimeter per hour. Most of the time, they just stay put, waiting for prey to come to them.

Koalas

Koalas have made a lifestyle out of taking it easy. They sleep up to 16 hours a day and move at a gentle pace of about 0.2 miles per hour. With a diet of low-energy eucalyptus leaves, slow is just their natural rhythm.

Slow loris

Moving slowly is more than just being lazy; it’s a survival tactic. The slow loris creeps along branches at a careful pace, making it harder for predators to spot. They’re nocturnal, deliberate, and never in a rush.

Gila Monster

This venomous lizard might sound dangerous, but it’s in no hurry to get anywhere. The Gila monster moves at a crawl, conserving energy in its hot, arid habitat. Its slow movement suits its lifestyle perfectly.

These animals prove that being slow doesn’t mean being weak. In fact, their leisurely pace helps them survive, whether by avoiding predators, conserving energy, or blending into their surroundings. Sometimes in nature, taking it slow is precisely what keeps you alive.