Loris Facts
Loris Facts
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| Interesting Loris Facts: |
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| Size of the loris depends on the species. Bornean slow loris is the smallest species; it weighs only 9 to 11 ounces. The Bengal slow loris is the largest species; it weights between 2.2 and 4.6 pounds and reaches length between 10 and 15 inches (from head to the tail). |
| Loris is covered with fur. Color of the fur can be grey, brown, yellow, red, silver or golden. |
| Frontally positioned large eyes are the most prominent feature of the loris. They ensure binocular vision and perception of depth. Their eyes also have specific reflective layer (called tapetum lucidum) which provides excellent eyesight during the night. |
| Other than eyes, loris has excellent sense of smell, which is used for the detection of the prey. |
| Loris is an omnivore (eats both meat and vegetation). Its diet is usually composed of insects, slugs, small mammals, fruit, leaves and various types of eggs. |
| Loris is a nocturnal animal (active during the night). It spends most of the time in the trees, where it walks slowly and silently or stays motionless while waiting for the prey to appear. |
| Loris walks by using all four extremities. This type of locomotion is called quadrupedalism. Front and hind limbs are about the same size. |
| Just like humans, loris has a thumb opposed to other fingers (thumb is not aligned with other fingers). This feature allows loris to grip the branches while walking and to hold the prey. |
| Loris has very strong grip. It can hang from the branch (attached by its feet) for hours when it uses both hands for feeding. |
| Loris sleeps during the day in a very specific position. It curls in the ball, placing its head between the legs. Although loris is a solitary creature (live on its own), it can often be seen sleeping in the group of couple of lorises. |
| Loris is the only known "poisonous" primate. It has a patch filled with venom under its elbow used for protection against the predators. When faced with danger, loris licks its elbow and covers its teeth with poison. As soon as oris bites its enemy, it will deliver the venom. |
| 1Loris reaches sexual maturity between 10 months (females) and one year (males). Depending on the species, lorises mate twice a year, once per year, or every year and a half. Female gives birth to usually one baby (two babies maximally). |
| Loris also uses venom to protect its offspring. By covering the baby with venom, mother keeps the predators away from her offspring while she searches for food. |
| Sometimes even the venomous protection is not enough to save the babies from the predators, such as orangutans which readily eat them. |
| Lifespan of most loris species is between 15 and 20 years in captivity. |
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