Head to head
Slender Loris vs Slow Loris
The slender loris and slow loris are both slow-moving nocturnal primates with huge eyes, but only one of them carries a genuinely toxic bite, a trait that makes the slow loris one of the most biologically unusual primates alive.
| Slender Loris | Slow Loris | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Loris tardigradus | Nycticebus (genus) |
| Venomous bite | Not venomous | Venomous, combines saliva with an elbow gland secretion |
| Body build | Extremely thin, elongated limbs | Stockier build with a strong grip |
| Diet | Carnivore, mainly insects | Omnivore, tree gum and sap, nectar, fruit, and insects |
| Pet trade impact | Threatened by habitat loss and some capture | Devastated by the pet and photo-prop trade |
| Movement style | Slow, deliberate precision | Slow, deliberate, can freeze motionless for hours |
| Native range | Sri Lanka and southern India | South and Southeast Asia |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Endangered |
Slender Loris vs Slow Loris: common questions
Is the slender loris venomous like the slow loris?
No, the slow loris is the only known venomous primate, producing a toxic bite by combining saliva with a gland secretion near its elbow; the slender loris has no comparable venomous trait.
How do the slender loris and slow loris differ in body shape?
The slender loris has unusually thin, elongated limbs that give it its name, while the slow loris instead has a stockier build with an especially strong, long-lasting grip.
Are both the slender loris and slow loris threatened by the pet trade?
The slow loris has been devastated by the pet and photo-prop trade in particular, while the slender loris is threatened more generally by habitat loss alongside some capture pressure.