Pygmy Slow Loris

Nycticebus pygmaeus

The pygmy slow loris (Nycticebus pygmaeus) is a small nocturnal primate from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, and nearby southern China. It has large forward-facing eyes, a short tail hidden in dense fur, and a reddish to gray-brown coat with a pale facial mask. Slow lorises move deliberately through branches rather than leaping, using strong hands and feet for a secure grip. This species also has a defensive bite made more serious by secretions from the brachial gland that mix with saliva. In cooler seasons it may reduce activity and enter short bouts of torpor.

It is not a safe or ethical pet species; much of the loris pet trade is illegal, and confiscated animals may have had their teeth cut or removed. Professional care is usually in nocturnal zoo exhibits, rescue centers, or conservation breeding programs that can provide quiet, dimly lit climbing space, nest sites, and a diet based on insects, gums, nectar sources, and carefully limited fruit. Handling is minimized because stress, obesity, dental disease, and bite injuries are common concerns in captivity. Field conservation work focuses on habitat protection, trade enforcement, and release planning for rehabilitated animals when suitable.