Pygmy Slow Loris

Nycticebus pygmaeus

A Rare Primate

The Pygmy Slow Loris is one of three species of slow lorises that exist today. All are quite rare, and this species is no exception. It’s found in dry tropical forests in Vietnam, Laos, China, and Cambodia. According to scientists at the San Diego Zoo there are about 72,000 species in the wild and as of 2006, 183 in captivity. Lorises are small primates, relatives of apes and monkeys.

Small, Quiet, Nocturnal Omnivores

Lorises are omnivores that are active at night. They will eat insects, fruits, snails, and small mammals. They live in trees, crawling slowly through the branches and thick leaves. These small primates are very tiny and only weigh about one pound when full grown.

Loris’ Reproduction

Lorises have relatively slow growth for a small mammal. Gestation for young is about 190 days. After birth newborns stick with their mother for about nine more months. Female lorises reach sexual maturity at around nine months, males between 17 and 20 months.

Toxic Mammals

Lorises are one of the few mammals that can produce toxic compounds. They produce toxins via a gland in their armpits. They then lick it and hold it in their mouths. If they bite in defense it will inject the toxic compounds. Its not known to be fatal to humans, but great swelling will result.

Other Interesting Videos on Lorises

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFNf57VoF7A

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Written by Rob Nelson

Rob is an ecologist from the University of Hawaii. He is the co-creator and director of Untamed Science. His goal is to create videos and content that are entertaining, accurate, and educational. When he's not making science content, he races whitewater kayaks and works on Stone Age Man.

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