Slender loris
| Slender lorises | |
|---|---|
| File:Slender Loris.jpg | |
| Gray slender loris (Loris lydekkerianus) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Clade: | Synapsida |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Primates |
| Suborder: | Strepsirrhini |
| Family: | Lorisidae |
| Subfamily: | Lorinae |
| Genus: | Loris É. Geoffroy, 1796[2] |
| Type species | |
| Loris tardigradus É. Geoffroy, 1758
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| Species | |
| Synonyms | |
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Slender lorises (Loris) are a genus of loris native to India and Sri Lanka. The slender loris spends most of its life in trees (arboreal), traveling along the top of branches with slow and precise movements. It is found in tropical rainforests, scrub forest, semi deciduous forest and swamps. The species have lifespans of 15 years and are nocturnal. Slender lorises generally feed on insects, reptiles, shoots of plants and fruits. Locally, they are referred to as Kaadu Paapa ("forest baby") in Kannada, Kutti thevangu' in Tamil, and Unahapuluwa in Sri Lanka.
Contents
Taxonomy
There are two known species:
- Red slender loris, Loris tardigradus
- Gray slender loris, Loris lydekkerianus[3]
Threats
According to biologists, poaching activity has led to the steady decline of the species in Tamil Nadu. Native people have always believed that all parts of the slender loris have some medicinal or magical powers. This has contributed greatly to the decline of the slender loris. In addition, slender lorises are illegally smuggled to supply a growing exotic pet trade.[4] Along the western region of Tamil Nadu, there is a vigorous clampdown on illegal poaching of slender lorises.[5]
Destruction of tropical rain forest habitat is also contributing to declines in population.[6]
Gallery
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Sri Lankan Slender Loris 1.jpg
Red slender loris
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Slender loris by N A Nazeer.jpg
Grey slender loris
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Red slender loris
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Loris and potto subspecies - data reviews
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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