Slow Loris

Conservation Status:
CITES Appendix 2

Description:
The slow loris has short, woolly fur that can range in color from pale yellow to light brownish-gray to reddish-brown.  A thin, dark stripe runs down the back.  They have a round head with large, forward-facing eyes.  The ears are almost completely hidden in the fur.  Like other primates, they have opposable thumbs for gripping.  All fingers and toes have nails, except the second toe, which has a short claw for grooming.  They have long, sharp canines.  Their head-and-body length is 10-15 inches.

Range:
Southeast Asia

Habitat:
Tropical forests or bamboo groves

Diet:
In the wild, they eat mollusks, insects, lizards, birds, eggs, small mammals, and fruits.  In the zoo, they eat canned primate diet, monkey chow, feline meat, and pieces of apples and oranges.

Life Cycle:
Males establish territories that usually overlap the ranges of several females.  Gestation is about 6 ½ months.  One young is born at a time, occasionally 2.  The newborn is tiny but completely furred, and its eyes open soon after birth.  The baby clings to the female’s belly, where she carries it for several days, and then begins to leave it alone ("parked" on a branch) for short periods of time.  Later the baby follows the female as she moves, becoming increasingly independent as it grows.  The young will be mature at 8-12 months.  They live 5-15 years in the wild, and up to 20 years in captivity.

Did You Know?

·        The name “loris” is Dutch for “clown”.  Their Indonesian name, “malu-malu”, means “shy one”.

·        Their saliva is thought to be toxic, or at least distasteful.  When females lick their baby’s fur, they might be giving the baby protection from some predators.

·        They communicate with a complex system of grunts, growls, chirps, and whistles. 

·        Although they usually move very slowly, they can strike at prey or other animals with amazing speed.  They bite fiercely, and produce a toxin from their forearms, which they smear onto their backs.

·        Slow loris are sometimes sold as pets.  Although they look cuddly, pet owners soon discover that they do not make good pets - they are wild animals and cannot be tamed.  They are capable of dangerous bites and scratches.

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