Mega sloth

Mega sloths are creatures found in Appalachia in 2102.

Background
Where the mega sloths of Appalachia came from is unknown. It is noted, however, that Isaac Garrahan owned several sloths at his family's estate before the Great War, and they are recorded to have escaped the enclosure on at least two occasions, and visiting the sloth cages are the Garrahan Estate shows no sign of sloth remains and can only be assumed that these sloths escaped from captivity into Appalachia as they have done before.

Mega sloths are notable for their sheer massive size compared to their unmutated origins, but much like their unmutated cousins, the mega sloths allow the growth of algae and mold on their fur but serves a different purpose than camouflage. The mold and algae growth was further mutated along with the sloths from the latent radiation of the Great War, creating a new species of mushroom only known as a megasloth mushroom. These mushrooms share a symbiotic relationship with the mega sloths, growing on the back parts of mega sloths to sustain itself, and the mega sloths, in turn, get an effective defense mechanism where a spore cloud bursts mushrooms on its back when aggressors get too close.

Biology
The mega sloth is a three-toed sloth mutated by radiation. Standing over nine feet tall, its body is covered with filthy and shaggy fur with clusters of mushrooms growing in the fur on its back (similar to how real-life sloths allow fungus to grow in their fur), as well as heavily calloused patches of skin and a mouth full of sharp teeth. The mega sloth is also highly aggressive and fast, at least by sloth standards.

Gameplay attributes
Mega sloths can be found walking about, particularly throughout the Mire. Though not immediately hostile, they may become aggressive if the player character gets too close. They will then use their claws to scratch and throw rocks and they may even release fungal spores from the mushrooms growing on their backs. They are tough, quick-footed and can deal heavy damage to an unarmored target. Some can be found dangling from large trees, similar to gulpers.

Baby mega sloth
A scaled down mega sloth, encountered during the Mama's Rage random encounter.

Sluggish mega sloth
A weaker variant of the mega sloth that can be encountered at a lower level.

Mega sloth
A base variant of the creature, with the attributes mentioned above.

Lumbering mega sloth
A slightly stronger variant, most commonly encountered in more difficult zones such as the Mire.

Hulking mega sloth
A stronger variant of the mega sloth that can be encountered at a higher level.

Glowing mega sloth
A mega sloth that has become inundated with radiation, to the point of luminescence.

Lazy mega sloth
This variant is encountered during Nuclear Winter.

Scorched mega sloth
A mega sloth that has been infected with the Scorched Plague.

Prime mega sloth
A mega sloth one can only encounter during the limited time Primal Cuts event quest in the Toxic Valley.

Locations

 * One to three can reliably be found southeast of the Southern Belle Motel, dangling in the trees.
 * One can be reliably found south of Fissure site Omicron.
 * One can appear at Tanagra Town.
 * One can appear at Treetops.
 * One can appear east of Watoga Shopping Plaza, across the river.
 * One can appear between KMAX Transmission and Camp Venture.
 * A Scorched variant can appear at the Creekside sundew grove, usually fighting super mutants.
 * One appears as the final parade attacker during Fasnacht Day.

Challenges

 * Kill a mega sloth in the Cranberry Bog (daily).

Appearances
Mega sloths appear only in Fallout 76.

Behind the scenes
The mega sloth may be a reference to prehistoric giant ground sloths, some varieties of which could be the size of elephants. The first fossil evidence of these creatures was discovered in a cave in Greenbrier County, West Virginia.

Bugs
When a mega sloth dies, it may freeze in place and not play its death animation. Its corpse can be clipped through, and looting it will be impossible.
 * One way to fix this is by fast traveling back and forth to the location of the sloth.