I might look cute and cuddly, but I hate being touched.

I made a trip to the Pan American Conservation Society, a wildlife rehabilitation centre in Gamboa.

The centre is open to the public and I was lucky enough to spend some time learning about sloths from the centre’s president Nestor Correa.

I also spent well over an hour watching the centre’s resident star, a three-toed sloth named Coquito (Translation — little coconut).

Seeing a sloth in the flesh has been something I’ve wanted to do for years and finally being able to do so did not disappoint.

Watching Coquito hang about while I learnt about sloths was one of the most fascinating experiences on my trip even with two hours sleep and a killer hangover after mucho fiesta.

So what exactly did I learn about sloths?

1. Those sweet, friendly faces? That’s all a front.

Despite the fact they look like they don’t have a single care in the world, the endearing look upon their faces is actually caused by lack of expressive facial muscles.

My hopes of giving Coquito a little cuddle was crushed when Nestor told me they actually get stressed out quite easily.

They also may look all cute and cuddly but they can’t stand being touched and will only be affectionate to humans in rare cases.

Apparently Coquito actually liked to be held, but only when he felt like it.

How do the volunteers know if he wants to be held? He lets them know by stretching his arms out when they are nearby.

He didn’t stretch his arms out for me.

It’s not a good idea to try and test their patience either. Well at least not with two-toed sloths — they are known to be quite aggressive and can do some serious damage with their claws.

Three-toed sloths are generally more easygoing, but still don’t appreciate having human hands all over them.

His arms are not stretched out. No hugs here.Source:Supplied

2. Their necks can swivel 270 degrees in either direction

How do I know this? By ignoring the previous advice given.

I was ever-so-gently touching Coquito on his back and he turned his head around like that freaky girl from The Exorcist and stared at me straight in the eyes.

He was definitely not impressed with my attempts to bond with him.

3. They’ve been around a really long time, and they were HUGE

Prehistoric ancestors of sloths, the giant Megatherium (aka “the giant sloth”) roamed the Earth before cavemen existed.

They lived in what is now South America and have been described as the same size as the modern rhinoceros.

4. Chivalry is dead — females chase down the males

A female sloth will find a mate when she’s ready to breed in quite an unusual way, by screaming and loudly whistling to signal that she’s looking for some lovin’.

Male sloths will then travel towards the source of the noise in hopes of getting (in) there first, otherwise they may have to fight off others to secure the female’s affection.

When they’re not mating, sloths tend to live alone, which doesn’t seem like the worst thing in the world. Am I right?

5. There’s a reason why we don’t have sloths in Australian zoos

I always wondered by I had never seen a sloth in a zoo and now I know why.

Sloths have an average body temperature of around 31 degrees, so they can’t survive outside of the tropics.

Oh, me? I am just hanging around.Source:Supplied

6. They’re always high ... but not the kind of high you’re thinking

Like koalas, there’s a common misconception that sloths are slow and lazy because they’re always high, or something along those lines.

This is false. The reason why they’re so slow is due to their metabolism.

It’s so slow that they simply don’t have the means to muster up enough energy for fast movements.

Because of this sloths spend the majority of their time hanging out in trees, and will only come down for two reasons; to move to a different place and to go to the toilet, which they do once a week.

This brings me to the next fact ...

7. Three-toed sloths have a stumpy tail

Purely for the purpose of digging a little hole in the ground to go to the toilet. Enough said.

8. We might see them as funny, silly little creatures, but they’re actually doing some good for humanity

There is research to show that the algae found on sloths’ rough hair can cure breast cancer.

The Wildlife Centre APPC is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation located in Gamboa, just under an hour’ drive outside of Panama City.

The centre cares for hundreds of animals each year and the majority are released back into the wild, however some animals remain at the centre if they cannot be returned due to injuries or their behaviour.

Tourists are able to visit the centre (and Coquito!) for a small donation to keep the centre funded.

If travelling to Panama is not possible, but you still want to support the wonderful work by Nestor and his team of volunteers, you can do so online.