Slow lorises are a group of primates from southeast Asia and possess a very rare trait for a mammal – a toxic bite. This provides defence from predators and mothers also protect their young by licking the toxin onto their fur.

Slow lorises are perfectly adapted to life in the trees with special pincer-like hands and feet. Being nocturnal, slow lorises use scent-marking to communicate with each other and males are highly territorial. Large eyes help them forage in the dark and they eat a wide range of foods from small mammals to tree gum.

Sadly illegal trading and habitat loss mean all species of wild slow lorises are declining.

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