Sunda Slow Loris

Nycticebus coucang

The Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), also called the greater slow loris in older sources, is a nocturnal strepsirrhine primate from the forests of Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand, Singapore, and nearby islands. It has a round head, large forward-facing eyes, a hidden tail, and dense brown-gray fur with a dark stripe down the back. Slow lorises move deliberately through branches, but their grip is strong and precise. They feed on tree gums, nectar, fruit, insects, and small vertebrates, and they are among the few venomous mammals: secretion from a gland on the arm can be mixed with saliva and delivered in a painful bite.

Licensed zoos, rescue centers, and rehabilitation programs keep Sunda slow lorises under strict controls rather than as household pets. Good management uses warm, humid nocturnal enclosures with dense climbing routes, sleeping boxes, and feeding methods that encourage gouging and foraging. Diets heavy in sweet fruit can cause obesity and dental disease, so gums, insects, browse, and carefully measured produce matter. Conservation work is tied to habitat loss and illegal pet trade; confiscated lorises may arrive with clipped teeth, stress injuries, or poor release prospects.