Slow Loris Rehabilitation Project

WARF Loris Photo Gallery

Description: The slow loris found in Thailand, Nycticebus Coucang, can be distinguished from all other Lorisidae by the dark stripe down the back and the relatively large size (head and body over 300mm). Lorises are generally small but heavyset, with the tail and eyes rounded, the muzzle short and pointed and the ears small and round. The thumb and first toe are relatively very large and capable of considerable backward extension, the index finger is reduced and the palm is wide and well padded, giving the loris an extremely powerful grip. Being a nocturnal animal, lorises have a well developed, pigmented layer next to the retina of the eye, which concentrates dim light. This layer also causes the eye to glow in the dark when subjected to light. Lorises are slow and deliberate climbers usually moving only one limb at a time, while maintaining their grip with the other three extremities. They usually spend the day curled up in the crotch of a tree or clump of bamboo. Being nocturnal they are sensitive to bright light. Diurnal activity is rare and indicates a sure sign of discontent. Photo Courtesy

Distribution: South Eastern and Southern Asia. A different species of Loris is found in the forests of West and Central Africa.

Habitat and Behavior: Lorises are found in primary or secondary forest or in groves of bamboo. Being arboreal they are seldom found on the ground.

Diet: Their diet consists of large mollusks and insects, fruit, birds, small mammals and lizards. When stalking, a loris stands erect, with both feet firmly gripping a branch, throwing the body forward while maintaining its grip and grabbing its prey with both hands. Although appearing to move slowly a loris can strike at amazing speed.

Reproduction: Adult males appear to be strongly territorial and when disturbed they utter a low buzzing hiss. The contact call is a single high pitched rising tone. The female on heat repeatedly makes a high pure whistle, made at no other time. The menstrual cycle is between 37 - 54 days and gestation is believed to be about 190 days. The female giving birth to single young may nurse for as long as 6 - 9 months. Lifespan is up to 12 - 14 years.

Source "Mammals of Thailand" Lekagul B.; McNeely J.A. 1977 Association for the Conservation of Wildlife