Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang).
Image: Aprisonsan, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
At a glance
- IUCN category
- EN · Endangered
- Animal group
- Mammals
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Sunda slow loris is a small, slow-moving nocturnal primate with huge eyes and a toxic bite — one of the few venomous mammals. It is assessed as Endangered.
It moves deliberately through the trees and is heavily targeted by the wildlife trade.
Range & habitat
Forests of the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra, and nearby areas.
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-climbing primate devastated by the pet trade, the Sunda slow loris is a flagship against wildlife trafficking in Southeast Asia.
Sources
Sources for Sunda Slow Loris
- IUCN Red List — look up Sunda Slow Loris (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
Are slow lorises really venomous?
Yes. Slow lorises are among the very few venomous mammals: they produce a toxin from a gland on the arm that, combined with saliva, can deliver a venomous bite. They should never be handled.
Why is the Sunda slow loris Endangered?
Published assessments cite heavy capture for the pet and traditional-medicine trade, plus habitat loss. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: