At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The pygmy slow loris is a small, slow-moving nocturnal primate with a toxic bite — rare among mammals. It is assessed as Endangered.
It moves deliberately through the trees and feeds on insects, sap, and fruit.
Range & habitat
Forests of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and southern China.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Capture for the pet and traditional-medicine trade
- Habitat loss
Why it matters
A venomous, slow-moving primate heavily targeted by the wildlife trade, the pygmy slow loris is a flagship against the illegal pet and medicine trade in Southeast Asia.
Recently moved to the genus Xanthonycticebus; the linked reference uses the former Nycticebus name.
Sources
Sources for Pygmy Slow Loris
- IUCN Red List — look up Pygmy Slow Loris (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it true that slow lorises are venomous?
Yes. Slow lorises are among the very few venomous mammals: they produce a toxin from glands on the arm that, combined with saliva, can deliver a venomous bite.
Why is the pygmy slow loris Endangered?
Published assessments cite capture for the pet and traditional-medicine trade and habitat loss. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: