Pygmy slow loris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pygmy slow loris |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nycticebus
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| Species: |
pygmaeus
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| Pygmy slow loris range | |
| Synonyms | |
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The pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) is one of a number of species of slow loris. It is a small nocturnal primate with large eyes. It lives in thick forest and bamboo groves. They are found in Vietnam, Laos, China, Thailand, and parts of Cambodia. Because their habitat is reduced, their status is "vulnerable".
Contents
Life style
They have small hands and feet, but an extraordinarily strong grasp. They can hang from branches as they catch their food. Their large eyes help them find their food.
Their diet consists of insects and soft fruit. They eat gum from trees and this may help them survive food shortages.
With their small size they weigh between 0.8 to 1 pound in adulthood. Usually once a male has reached maturity, they become territorial and do not tolerate other males. This is why their social life is described as solitary, although they are known to be able to live among females of their species. In captivity the lifespan of the pygmy slow loris may be 20 years.
They produce offspring every 12 to 18 months. The females have gestational periods of about 188 days and have small litters of one or two babies. This species do not share parenting. The offspring stay with their mothers until they reach maturity.
Survival
When the loris feels threatened it has a defense mechanism. It gives off a bad odor. If a predator is not scared away by the smell they produce some kind of toxic secretion from their elbows. If they bite the predator, the poison is passed on.
Despite conservation efforts, they are captured and sold for pets in markets in Vietnam. They have a very cuddly appearance but in no way are suitable to be pets.
- Lincoln Park Zoo http://www.lpzoo.org/animal/pygmy-slow-loris
- Duke Lemur Center http://lemur.duke.edu/discover/meet-thelemurs/pygmy-slow loris/
Images for kids
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The pygmy slow loris as illustrated in Bonhote's 1907 description of the species
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Typical facial features include the overall rufous color, brown rings encircling large eyes, a white stripe from the nose to the forehead, and silvery gray hair at the sides of the head.
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Palatal (left) and lateral (right) views of a pygmy slow loris skull
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Insect prey can be captured while hanging upside-down from a branch.
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The pygmy slow loris is captured for use in traditional medicine throughout its range.
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Pygmy slow lorises obtained from animal markets suffer from stress, neglect, malnutrition, and infection. As a consequence, they seldom live long.
See also
In Spanish: Nycticebus pygmaeus para niños
