Slow loris

Aspect

Details

Genus

Nycticebus

Species

• Sunda slow loris (N. coucang)
• Bengal slow loris (N. bengalensis)
• Javan slow loris (N. javanicus)
• Philippine slow loris (N. menagensis)
• Bangka slow loris (N. bancanus)
• Bornean slow loris (N. borneanus)
• Kayan River slow loris (N. kayan)
• Sumatran slow loris (N. hilleri)
• 9. Pygmy slow loris (X. pygmaeus)

Distribution      

South and Southeast Asia: Northeast India, Indochina, Sulu Archipelago (Philippines), Java (including Borneo, Sumatra), Brunei, Singapore. Found in India, China (Yunnan province), Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical regions: primary and secondary rainforests, bamboo groves, mangrove forests. Prefer high, dense canopies, also found in disturbed habitats like cacao plantations and mixed-crop home gardens.

Physical Traits

Round head

Narrow snout

Large eyes

Species-dependent coloration patterns

Equal-length arms and legs

Long, flexible torso

Pincer-like grip in hands and feet

Diet       

Omnivores: small animals, fruit, tree gum, other vegetation

Social Structure

Generally solitary foraging at night

 Sleep during the day, usually alone but sometimes with others

Overlapping home ranges

Males have larger ranges

Communication mainly through scent marking with urine

Limited vocal exchanges

Behavior

Slow and deliberate climbers

Use three limbs to grip branches

Motionless when disturbed

In Indonesia, called "malu malu" or "shy one" due to their freezing behavior

Can adopt a defensive posture and curl up when cornered

Predators include snakes, changeable hawk-eagles, Sumatran orangutans, and possibly cats, sun bears, binturongs, Asian palm civets

Defensive Adaptations

Toxic secretion from brachial gland, mixed with saliva

Used for defense against predators and possibly other slow lorises

Vocalizations and coloration patterns may also aid in protection

Secretion similar to cat dander allergen

Reproduction

Polygynandrous system

Long gestations (about six months)

Small litter sizes, low birth weights, long weaning times (3–6 months)

Slow growth rate

Breeding may be continuous

Males become hostile towards offspring after 12-14 months

Sexual maturity: females (18–24 months), males (17 months)

Lifespan in captivity: 20+ years

Diet

Omnivorous: insects, arthropods, small birds, reptiles, eggs, fruits, gums, nectar, miscellaneous vegetation

Sunda slow loris diet: 71% fruit and gums, 29% insects

Pygmy slow loris diet: primarily gums and nectar, 30-40% animal prey

Gouging for exudates can be loud and used to assess presence in an area

Anatomical Adaptations

Long narrow tongue for reaching gum in cracks

Conservation Threats

Deforestation: Leads to habitat loss and fragmentation

Wildlife trade: Threatens wild populations as exotic pets or for traditional medicine

Current Conservation Status

All species identified before 2012: Listed as "Vulnerable" or "Endangered" by IUCN Red List

Three new species: Not yet evaluated by IUCN; formerly thought to be subpopulations of the Bornean slow loris (evaluated as "Vulnerable" in 2008)

Bornean slow loris and new species: Higher extinction risk due to habitat fragmentation and population division

Legal Protection

CITES Appendix I: All slow loris species are protected from commercial international trade

Local trade: Illegal in all countries where slow lorises occur

Enforcement issues: Despite legal protections, trade persists due to enforcement problems

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements with reference to Slow loris:

1. Slow loris is not found in India.
2. Its defensive adaptations including toxic secretion from the brachial gland mixed with saliva.
3. All slow loris species are listed in CITES Appendix I.

How many of the above statements is/are incorrect?

a) Only one

b) Only two

c) All three

d) None

Answer: a) Only one

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect. Slow loris is found in India, China (Yunnan province), Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Burma, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia.