FFacts On Tap Editorial Team Fact-checkedUpdated March 28, 20253 min read
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The loris is a small, slow-moving nocturnal primate found across South and Southeast Asia, from India and Bangladesh to Indonesia and the Philippines. With their huge round eyes and deliberate movements, lorises look like storybook creatures, but they hide a surprising secret: some species are the only primates on Earth with a venomous bite.
Sadly, that same combination of cute looks and mystery has made lorises a target of the illegal pet trade, pushing several species toward extinction. Here are the real facts behind these remarkable animals.
Lorises move in slow, deliberate motions, which helps them stay undetected by predators that hunt by spotting movement.
The slow loris is the only primate known to be venomous. It has a gland on the inside of its elbow, called the brachial gland, that secretes an oily toxin.
To use its venom, a slow loris raises its arms and mixes the elbow-gland secretion with its saliva, then delivers it through a bite from its specialized toothcomb.
A slow loris bite can cause intense pain and, in rare cases, a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) in humans.
Being nocturnal, lorises have very large eyes that help them see and navigate through the forest at night.
Their diet is varied, including fruit, tree gum and sap, insects, and small animals such as lizards.
Lorises have an extremely strong grip, thanks to opposable thumbs and a specialized blood supply that lets them cling to branches for hours without tiring.
Most loris species are solitary as adults and mark their territory with urine and scent glands rather than living in groups.
Several loris species are threatened with extinction due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. The Bengal and Sunda slow lorises are listed as Endangered, and the Javan slow loris is Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
Lorises communicate mostly through scent marking and soft, high-pitched vocalizations rather than loud calls.
In captivity, lorises can live up to around 20 years, considerably longer than their typical lifespan in the wild.
A loris mother carries her infant clinging to her body for weeks after birth, only "parking" the baby on a branch once it is old enough to be briefly left alone.
Slow lorises move their toothcomb-like lower front teeth (a shared trait among strepsirrhine primates) to groom themselves and their young, spreading venom on the infant's fur as extra protection.
Wildlife traders often illegally clip or pull out a slow loris's teeth to make them safer to sell as pets, a cruel practice that frequently leads to infection and death.
Frequently asked questions
How do lorises use their venom?
A slow loris raises its arms so it can mix the oily secretion from its brachial (elbow) gland with its saliva, then delivers the resulting venom through a bite using its specialized toothcomb. It's used mainly for defense and in competition with other lorises.
Are lorises good pets?
No. Lorises have specialized nocturnal care needs, a venomous bite that can trigger allergic reactions in humans, and the pet trade is a major driver of their decline in the wild. Owning one is illegal in many countries.
What is the habitat of a loris?
Lorises live in dense tropical forests, including rainforests, across South and Southeast Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and the Philippines. They depend on thick canopy cover and darkness to stay hidden from predators.
How do lorises communicate?
Lorises rely mainly on scent marking with urine and glandular secretions, along with soft vocalizations and body language, especially during mating and while caring for their young.
Why are lorises endangered?
Lorises face habitat destruction from logging and agricultural expansion, plus capture for the illegal exotic pet trade, which often involves cruel practices like tooth removal. Several species are listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered.
How can we help conserve lorises?
Supporting reputable wildlife conservation organizations, avoiding the exotic pet trade, and raising awareness about the illegal loris trade all help protect wild populations.
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