Lifespan20 years on average in the wild and up to 26 years in human care
Quick facts
DietInsects, tree gum, fruit and small vertebrates
HabitatRainforests
RangeBanten, West Java
The slow lorises
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Venomous primate
Only a few mammals are known to produce venom and the slow loris is one of them.
It mixes the secretion from a gland on the underside of its arm with its saliva to produce a toxin. It applies the toxin on its body when provoked, or to protect itself or its young from predators such as clouded leopards, binturongs and palm civets.
A toothcomb on its lower jaw helps transfer the toxin. Toothcombs are comb-shaped incisors used to detangle fur and to get rid of debris trapped within.
On its second toe is a toilet claw that provides additional help in grooming. Urine is used to scent mark territory and to communicate with other lorises.
Slow, flexible tree dweller
Known for its slow and deliberate gait, the slow loris is surprisingly swift when striking at prey that is within reach.
The grip of its hind feet is so strong and its backbone so flexible that it can twist around extensively, above and below branches, even hang upside down while using its hands to forage or to capture prey.
A truly arboreal primate, it is almost never seen out of the treetops. The dark patches around its eyes remind one of a clown, hence its name ‘loris’, which means clown in Dutch.
News from our nutritionist
Can you share more about your paper on the slow loris diet?
Like us, animals have billions of bacteria inside their tummy. Our research shows how important it is to consider these microbes when feeding our animals.
While the survey samples were collected from slow lorises in Java, we’ve modified the diet for the slow lorises in our care based on our findings.
What changes have been made to the diet of Night Safari's slow lorises?
Slow lorises under human care are typically fed lots of fruit, which provides them with the wrong kind of energy for their gut microbes. Some lorises become obese, others become very thin.
We’ve decreased sugar by reducing fruit and increased fibre content in our lorises’ diet by providing them with gum arabic.
What’s the impact of the change?
The lorises take a lot of gum in the wild. The change has positively impacted gut microbe composition: there’s now more of the good bacteria and less of the bad.
We’ve seen improved condition, weight and behaviour in our lorises.
Who knows, their low-sugar, high-fibre diet may be good for us humans too!
Together for wildlife
Caught for the pet trade
The greatest threat to this wide-eyed, baby-faced animal is poaching for the exotic pet trade.
We provided funding for Yayasan International Animal Rescue Indonesia (YIARI) in its work as the first rescue and rehabilitation facility for slow lorises in Indonesia.
The IUCN Status
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity
