Philippine slow loris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Philippine slow loris |
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| Conservation status | |
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| Genus: |
Nycticebus
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| Species: |
menagensis
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| Synonyms | |
The Philippine slow loris (Nycticebus menagensis) is a small, furry animal. It is a type of primate called a slow loris. These animals live in the northern and eastern parts of Borneo island. They also live in the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines.
This slow loris is one of the smallest of its kind. It weighs about 265 to 300 grams (9 to 11 ounces). You can tell it apart by its pale golden to red fur. It also has no clear markings on its head. Like other slow lorises, it has a tiny tail and a round head. It has short ears and a special curved claw for grooming. It also has a gland that makes a special oily toxin. The loris uses this toxin to protect itself.
Philippine slow lorises live in trees (they are arboreal). They are active at night (they are nocturnal). They are hard to find because not many live in one area. They prefer lowland forests, gardens, and plantations. Scientists think they mostly eat insects. They also eat sticky gum from woody plants.
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Discovering the Philippine Slow Loris
Scientists first described the Bornean slow loris in 1892. For a while, it was thought to be part of a wider group. But in 2006, new studies showed it was its own species. These studies looked at the animal's DNA. In 2013, scientists divided the Bornean slow loris group into four different species. The Philippine slow loris was one of these. A new species, N. kayan, was also found in Borneo.
The first Philippine slow loris specimens were collected in the early 1890s. This happened during a science trip to the Philippines and Borneo. A scientist named Richard Lydekker officially named the species Lemur menagensis in 1893. This is why he is known as the authority for its name.
Later, in 1953, one scientist thought all slow lorises were just one species. But in 1971, another scientist, Colin Groves, said the pygmy slow loris was separate. He also divided the main slow loris group into four subspecies. One of these was Nycticebus coucang menagensis.
In 2006, new genetic tests proved that Nycticebus menagensis was a full species. This was based on differences in their DNA. Other studies also found differences in their faces and skulls.
What Does the Philippine Slow Loris Look Like?
Like all slow lorises, this animal has a very short, almost invisible tail. It has a round head and small ears. Its nose area is moist and flat, with large eyes. On its front feet, the second finger is smaller than the others. Its big toe on the back foot can grab things well. This helps it hold onto branches.
It has a special curved claw on its second back toe. This claw is used for scratching and grooming. Its other nails are straight. It also has a unique set of lower front teeth. These teeth form a "toothcomb" that helps it groom its fur.
The Philippine slow loris has a small swelling on its elbow. This is called the brachial gland. It makes a strong-smelling, oily toxin. The loris can wipe this toxin onto its toothcomb. It then uses it to defend itself.
This species usually weighs between 265 and 325 grams (9 to 11 ounces). Some have been recorded up to 700 grams (25 ounces). Its body is about 27.4 centimeters (10.8 inches) long. Its skull is about 5.4 to 5.6 centimeters (2.1 to 2.2 inches) long. It is a medium-sized slow loris.
The slow lorises in Borneo are among the smallest of their group. This species has pale golden to red fur. Its face and head markings are light and not very clear. It also usually lacks a second upper front tooth. The rings around its eyes are rounded or faded at the top. The stripe between its eyes is thin. Its ears usually have no fur.
Compared to other slow lorises in Borneo, the Philippine slow loris has pale fur. Its face markings are very light. This is different from the N. kayan, which has dark, clear face markings. The Philippine slow loris also has short, flat body hair. The N. kayan has longer, fluffier hair.
Where Do They Live?
The Philippine slow loris mainly lives in coastal and lowland areas. These areas are in northern and eastern Borneo. This includes Brunei, Sabah, and East Kalimantan. It also lives on the southern Philippine Islands. These islands are known as the Sulu Archipelago. It might also be found on other nearby islands.
In the Sulu Archipelago, it lives in the Tawi-Tawi Group of islands. This includes Tawi-Tawi, Bongao, Sanga-Sanga, and Simunul. It is not found on Jolo island. Some scientists think that humans might have brought these slow lorises to the Philippines. This is because they are popular as pets.
Of the four slow loris species in Borneo, the Philippine slow loris shares its home only with N. kayan. Their living areas overlap in East Kalimantan and Sabah. Fossils of this species have been found in Borneo.
Their Home and Habits
The slow lorises of Borneo are not well-studied. In one study, scientists only saw 12 slow lorises in 75 days. All were seen in trees, about 15 to 20 meters (49 to 66 feet) high. They were seen alone, as a mother with her baby, or in groups of three adults.
This species lives in both old (primary) and new (secondary) lowland forests. They also live in gardens and plantations. They are found at heights between 35 and 100 meters (115 to 328 feet) above sea level. People in the Philippines say they often see them in citrus trees. This means they can live in different types of places.
They are active at night and spend almost all their time in trees. While we don't know much about their diet, scientists believe they eat a lot of insects. They have also been seen eating sticky gum from woody vines.
Protecting the Philippine Slow Loris
The Philippine slow loris is considered "Vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This means it faces a high risk of becoming extinct. It is also listed in CITES Appendix I. This means it cannot be traded internationally for commercial reasons. It is also protected by Indonesian law.
This species is not very common across its range. It is especially rare in the Philippines. Surveys show that it is less common than other slow loris species.
The Philippine slow loris lives in several protected areas. However, it faces threats from illegal wildlife trade. Many are caught and sold as pets. They also lose their homes because of logging, fires, and land being turned into palm oil plantations. Sometimes, pet slow lorises are released into the wild. This can also harm the species.
Before 2013, when it was part of a larger group, the Bornean slow loris was thought to be less threatened. But now that it's recognized as a separate species, it faces a higher risk of extinction. Scientists expect it to remain listed as "Vulnerable," or even a higher risk category.
Images for kids
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A Philippine slow loris.
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Map showing the range of the Philippine slow loris.
