The slow loris is often called the world’s only venomous primate.
Slow lorises are nocturnal, tree-dwelling primates from South and Southeast Asia. They move carefully through tropical forest branches, using strong grips and specialized hands to climb. Their diet can include fruit, nectar, insects, small vertebrates, and tree sap.
A slow loris produces a secretion from glands near its elbows. It can mix this substance with saliva, creating a bite that may cause severe reactions in some animals and people. The venom’s chemistry and effects vary among slow-loris species, so the phrase “only venomous primate” is a useful general description rather than a claim that every species is identical.
Slow lorises are frequently confused with slender lorises, bushbabies, and tarsiers. Their large forward-facing eyes and deliberate movements are distinctive, but their nocturnal habits and small size can make identification difficult. Illegal wildlife trade has also harmed many slow-loris populations.