Pygmy Slow Loris: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Creatures of the Night · day 3 of 7

Five facts

1. The pygmy slow loris has a toxic bite. It gets it by licking a toxic liquid from glands on the inside of its elbows.
2. Its elbow secretion holds a protein much like one in cat dander, which may explain strong allergic reactions in some people.
3. In winter, pygmy slow lorises weigh about 50% more than at their summer low, mostly by eating more. Some have reached 700 g.
4. Female pygmy slow lorises mature at about 9 months. Males need 18-20 months.
5. The pygmy slow loris population in China has been estimated at fewer than 500 animals.

The quiz

1. What makes the pygmy slow loris unusual among primates?

• It hunts in packs
• It glides between trees
• It has a toxic bite (correct)
• It hibernates underground

It has a toxic bite, from a liquid it licks off glands on its elbows.

2. What is the loris's elbow secretion similar to?

• An allergen in cat dander (correct)
• Spider silk
• Honey
• Bird feathers

It contains a protein much like a cat allergen, which may explain allergic reactions.

3. How heavy have some pygmy slow lorises been recorded?

• Up to 70 g
• Up to 700 g (correct)
• Up to 7 kg
• Up to 70 kg

Some individuals have been recorded at up to 700 g.

4. At what age do male pygmy slow lorises mature?

• About 9 months
• About 5 years
• About 7 weeks
• 18-20 months (correct)

Males need 18-20 months to mature, females about 9.

5. How many pygmy slow lorises are estimated to live in China?

• Fewer than 500 (correct)
• About 5 million
• About 50 million
• About 1 billion

Its population in China has been estimated at fewer than 500.

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