Bengal Slow Loris: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Lemurs and Little Primates · day 6 of 7

Five facts

1. A small bump on the inside of its elbow makes a strong-smelling, oily toxin. To defend itself, the loris wipes it onto its teeth.
2. That oil may also work like a scent message, telling other lorises about the owner's age, health and rank.
3. Its eyes have a mirror-like layer that bounces light back through them, giving it excellent vision at night.
4. Its second back toe has a curved claw, called a toilet claw, used for scratching and grooming. Its other nails are straight.
5. In winter it lives almost entirely on tree sap and gum. It scrapes the bark or gouges holes in it to make the sap flow.

The quiz

1. Where is the slow loris's toxin gland?

• On its tail
• Inside its elbow (correct)
• Behind its ears
• On its belly

A gland on the inside of its elbow makes an oily toxin.

2. Besides defence, what might the elbow oil be used for?

• Keeping its fur dry
• Catching insects
• Sending scent messages to other lorises (correct)
• Healing wounds

The oil may share information like age, health and rank by scent.

3. What helps the Bengal slow loris see so well at night?

• A light-reflecting layer in its eyes (correct)
• Whiskers on its face
• Glowing fur
• Very large ears

A reflective layer in its eyes boosts its night vision.

4. What is the loris's curved toilet claw used for?

• Digging burrows
• Catching fish
• Fighting rivals
• Scratching and grooming (correct)

The curved claw on its second back toe is for scratching and grooming.

5. What does the Bengal slow loris eat almost entirely in winter?

• Fish
• Tree sap and gum (correct)
• Grass
• Bird eggs

In winter its food is almost entirely plant sap and gum.

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