Red Slender Loris

The Red Slender Loris (loris tardigradus) is a small, nocturnal prosimian endemic to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. It belongs to the family Lorisidae and the Primates order. It is called Unahapuluwa in Sinhala and Thevangu in Tamil. This is number 6 of the 10 focal species and number 22 of the 100 EDGE mammal species worldwide considered the most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered. There are 2 subspecies of Red Slender Loris: Loris tardigradus tardigradus and Loris tardigradus nycticeboides.  

Characteristics

The Red Slender Loris is one of two slender loris species, the other one being the Grey Slender Loris. They have a body length between 11.6 and 17 centimeters weigh between 103 and 172 grams. They have soft, dense fur which it is reddish/brown in colour with a silver/grey coloured underside. Their limbs are long and slender and on each foot their big toe opposes the other 4 so they have a pincer-like grip. They do not have tails. They have large, round, forward facing eyes which enable them to have a precise depth perception. Their ears are large, round, thin and hairless at the edges. On their face they have a central pale stripe that starts above their eyes and runs down towards their nose.

Behavior & Habitat

The Red Slender Loris can be found in the lowland and tropical rainforests in the south western wet-zone of Sri Lanka. They form small social groups consisting of individuals of both sexes and some youngsters. They are nocturnal and during the day they rest in a tree hole, a dense leaf nest or a similar secure place. The adults typically hunt separately during the night. They are primarily insectivorous but also eat bird eggs, berries, leaves, buds and occasionally invertebrates as well as geckos and lizards. To maximize protein and nutrient uptake they consume every part of their prey, including the scales and bones. They make nests out of leaves or find hollows of trees or a similar secure place to live in. Females are dominant. They breed twice per year between May and December. After a gestation period of 166 - 169 days, 1 or 2 young are born.  The lifespan of this species is believed to be around 15–18 years in the wild.

Threat and Conservation

Habitat destruction is a major threat. It is widely trapped and killed for use in supposed remedies for eye diseases and get killed by snakes, dogs, and some fish. Other threats include: electrocution on live wires, road accidents and the pet trade. It is listed as an endangered species by the IUCN. It is protected under the Fauna and Flora Ordinance of 1938.