#slow lorises

[yourfavesparksjoy]

Slow Lorises sparks joy!

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

The slow loris’ huge eyes and soft fur make it incredibly cute and appealing to humans, but these features also cause people to think the slow loris makes a tempting pet.  The exotic pet trade in slow lorises is now one of the biggest reasons behind their decline.  The little primates are popular pets in Indonesia, and are frequently smuggled out to Japan, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Russia, and even as far as the US to be purchased by unwitting owners.  Many of these “pet” slow lorises have their teeth clipped or pulled in order to neutralise their toxic bites, which risks infection and death for the animal.  It is also difficult for the average person to replicate the loris’ complex diet, meaning that these “pet” lorises are often malnourished and/or obese.  They are also very prone to stress and shock, as well as sensitive to light.  And finally, as slow lorises do not breed well in captivity, almost all of the animals purchased as pets have been taken from the wild.  As many as 95% of these hapless animals will die of infection or improper care.

It should also be noticed that many “cute” behaviours displayed by “pet” slow lorises are actually misinterpretations by humans; the popular video of the slow loris raising its arms to be tickled, for example, most likely is actually a frightened loris displaying its venom glands as a form of defense, not a pet enjoying human attention.

[morethanus-life]

Pasar is one of two baby slow lorises kidnapped by illegal pet traders to be sold at Jakarta animal markets. The pair are recovering at the International Animal Rescue sanctuary in Ciapus, Java

Photograph: International Animal Rescue/Barcroft Images

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

Slow lorises have an extremely low metabolic rate, comparable to that of sloths.  Unlike sloths, however, slow lorises feed on high quality, nutrient-rich food that is available throughout the year, which leaves the reason for this slow metabolic rate something of a mystery.  One theory is that, because slow lorises have been observed eating toxic foods such as poisonous insects and Gluta bark, their slow metabolism may help them eliminate toxins from their food.

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

Slow lorises are the world’s only venomous primate.  The venom is secreted from a gland in the loris’ elbow which the loris licks, mixing the secretion with their saliva.  The loris can then inflict painful, toxic bites, and will also lick the fur of their infants before leaving them, covering their bodies with the toxin to deter predators.  Wildlife biologists have said that the bite of the slow loris is among the most painful in the world, pain which is exacerbated by the fact that the loris will bite down and refuse to let go in an effort to inject as much venom as possible into the wound.  Some victims have found that the only way to make the loris let go is to submerge it in water.  

There is some speculation that, rather than being truly toxic, the venom of the slow loris actually induces a severe allergic reaction in humans.  The only recorded human death due to slow loris bite occurred due to anaphylactic shock.

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

Most small animals breed and mature quickly, often having large litters and being ready to reproduce again soon after weaning.  The slow loris, however, has one of the slowest reproduction rates of any mammal of its size.  They have a very long gestation at around six months, only give birth to one young (or rarely twins), nurse their infants for three to six months, and have long pauses between births.  This slow growth rate is one of the reasons behind the slow loris’ decline, and one of the issues facing conservationists.  

[zsl-edge-of-existence]

Another massive problem facing both slender and slow lorises is that all species are believed to have great power in traditional medicine.  In Borneo, for example, it was believed that slow lorises are the gatekeepers to the afterlife.  In Sumatra, slow lorises will be buried under the foundation of a new house or a new road to bring good luck to travelers or inhabitants.  In Sumatra, loris meat is used as an aphrodisiac, and in Java, placing a piece of loris skull in the household water jug will make a husband more docile and compliant.  In parts of Cambodia, the gall bladder of the slow loris is used to make traditional tattoo ink.  In still more areas, loris parts are used to treat leprosy, broken bones, eye problems, or in love potions.  Despite efforts by conservation groups, native populations believe very strongly in the medicinal power of loris parts, and are reluctant to give them up even when offered alternatives.

[naonicblog2]

Adorable but Deadly Fluff Balls, Better Known as Pygmy Slow Lorises, Born at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

The two babies are part of an endangered species whose unbearable cuteness has made them a target for wildlife traffickers