Pygmy Slow Loris

Facts

IUCN VULNERABLE (VU)

Facts about this animal

Pygmy slow loris are small (head-body length about 20 cm), compact animals with short tails, short, rounded muzzles, round eyes directed forward and short, dense fur. They are mainly brown, reddish-brown or grey with white lines between their eyes, dark markings around their eyes and a faint dorsal medial stripe in the crown. Hands are broad with an opposable thumb. Males and females are similar in appearance.

Pygmy slow loris (or lesser slow loris) are nocturnal and arboreal. They seem to live solitary or in small family groups consisting of an adult male, an adult female and one or two generations of offspring. To remain inconspicuous, vocal exchanges are limited, and communication is primarily by olfactoric means, i.e. urine marking. During the day, the loris spends its time curled up in a tree hole or clump of dense vegetation.

Did you know?
that the name 'loris' is thought to be derived from the Dutch word 'loeres' meaning 'sluggish'; or perhaps from the term used by old Holland seafarers 'loeris' which means 'clown'?

Factsheet
Class	MAMMALIA
Order	PRIMATES
Suborder	PROSIMIA
Family	LORISIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Nycticebus pygmaeus
Name (English)	Pygmy Slow Loris
Name (French)	Loris pygmé
Name (German)	Zwergplumplori
Name (Spanish)	Lori perezoso pigmeo
Local names	Malay: Kukang or Oukang
CITES Status	Appendix I (as from September 2007), previously Appendix II
CMS Status	Not listed

Photo Copyright by
Christian Schmidt

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Cambodia (?), China, Lao PDR, Thailand, Viet Nam
Habitat	Rainforest, secondary forest
Wild population	Approx. 72'000
Zoo population	183 reported to ISIS

In the Zoo

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 31 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

Find this animal on ZooLex

Photo Copyright by
Christian Schmidt

Why do zoos keep this animal

The pygmy slow loris is a vulnerable species. With a view of building up a self-sustaining population, an International Studbook has been established in 1991 under the WAZA umbrella, and coordinated conservation breeding programmes are operated at the regional level by AZA and BIAZA. The species is of educational interest particularly if presented in nocturnal exhibits.

How this animal should be kept

Pygmy slow lorises are usually exhibited in nocturnal houses. They are solitary and territorial, but territories of males and females usually overlap. Consequently they may be kept in pairs or family groups. The enclosure must come up to the following minimum requirements: surface 4 m², height 3.0 m, room temperature at least 20°C, 50-75 %. The day phase should be around 12 hours. Ample vertical and horizontal branches are required for climbing and jumping, and sleeping boxes should be provided in the upper part of the enclosure. Shredded bark is a suitable substrate to cover the ground. Mixed exhibits may include e.g. flying foxes, mouse deer, or Asian horned beetles.

Food should be offered at least twice per day. The diet may vary according to season and should consist consist of a variety of fruit and vegetables, and must include animal protein such as locusts, crickets and baby mice.