In order to produce a film about sloths, Jeri Ledbetter spent the past several years learning the ways of the sloth. She studied and filmed extensively at the Aviarios Sloth Rescue Center in Costa Rica, as well as in the wild rainforests of Costa Rica and Panama. "There is very little information available about sloths," she says. "And much of what has been printed is incorrect."

Early in 2005 Jeri and photographer Bill Hatcher received a grant from the National Geographic Expedition Council to film a species of sloth that was just described in 2001. The three-toed pygmy sloth is found only on a tiny remote island off the coast of Panama. During the expedition she captured some priceless footage of a pygmy sloth entering the water and swimming with surprising grace and poise. This behavior had been theorized by scientists but never previously documented.

Hanging with the Sloth is a delightful, slow-motion romp with the world's most charming mammal. Slow of movement and fond of sleep, this animal has long been considered dim-witted, primitive and noteworthy only in that it survived at all. It didn't help to be named for one of the Seven Deadly Sins. This engaging documentary, filmed in Costa Rica and Panama, dispels that image and introduces you to a unique, intriguing and extraordinary animal. Prepare to fall in love.