Loris ....slow ....slowly

any of the tailless Indo-Malay primates, family Lorisidae, of the genera Loris (slender loris) and Nycticebus (slow loris). Lorises are found in forested regions and may be recognized by their soft, gray or brown fur; huge eyes encircled by dark patches; and shortened index fingers. They are arboreal and nocturnal, curling up to sleep by day. They move with great deliberation and often hang by their feet with their hands free to gain holds on branches or to grasp food.

The slender loris (L. tardigradus) of India and Sri Lanka is about 20–25 centimetres (8–10 inches) long and has long, slender limbs, small hands, a rounded head, and a pointed muzzle. It feeds on insects and small animals and apparently is solitary. The female usually bears a single young after about 160–170 days' gestation.

The two species of slow lorises are more robust and have shorter, stouter limbs, more rounded snouts, and smaller eyes and ears. They are found in Southeast Asia and the Malay Peninsula. The smaller species (N. pygmaeus) is about 20 cm long; the larger (N. coucang) is about 27–38 cm long. Slow lorises are slower moving than slender lorises and feed on insects, small animals, fruit, and vegetation. The females bear one (sometimes two) young after about 190 days' gestation.

loris

The Slow Loris is a small nocturnal and slow moving animal. It has a very short tail, conspicuous ears, big eyes and a sofl fur. It is also arboreal and its main diet consists of small animals, mostly insects and pulpy fruit. The Slow Loris is normally found in secondary forest, gardens and cocoa plantation. The main threat to this species is habitat destruction and hunting. This animal is also listed as a protected animal under the Fauna Conservation Ordinance, 1963.

Source : Wildlife of Sabah In Danger, Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, Sabah Wildlife Department, 1993.