slow loris
Quick Summary
The slow loris is a type of primate found in South and Southeast Asia. These nocturnal, arboreal animals are known for their large eyes, often surrounded by dark patches, and their deliberate movements through trees. They can hang upside down by their feet, using their hands to grasp food or branches.
There are two main groups: slender lorises, which are smaller with long limbs, and slow lorises, which are more robust. Some slow loris species, like the Javan slow loris, are venomous, possessing glands that produce a toxic substance mixed with saliva, resulting in a necrotic bite. This adaptation is thought to be used for defense.
Unfortunately, many loris species are threatened due to hunting for food and traditional medicine, as well as the pet trade and habitat loss. Several species are classified as endangered or critically endangered.1
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