Lorises are arboreal primates belonging to the suborder Strepsirrhini - just like the
lemurs. Among the sub
family Lorinae are 5 distinct species, split into 2 generas (the
slow lorises and the
slender lorises); the slender lorises (red and gray) are split again in subspecies (note: taxonomy at this level gives me a headache), and to make things even more complicated, ALL the little buggers have enough general characteristics in common that identification without physical examination can be quite difficult - without exception is the critically endangered Horton Plains slender loris (painted above).
Lorises are endemic to the forests of India, Sri Lanka, and southeast Asia, and all of them are considered threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation of woodlands, which, among other detrimental issues, makes it impossible for these solitary animals to find mates. However, so rare is the The Horton Plains slender loris (Loris tardigradus nycticeboides) that after it's discovery in 1937 - based on but 2 individuals - the little chap went MIA for
65 years, miraculously reappearing by reported sighting only in 2002. After only 4 sightings in 72 years, a recent dedicated search by
EDGE conservationists with the
Zoological Society of London, and Shi Lankan researchers (who logged over 200 collective hours meticulously surveying forest transects) not only rediscovered this stubby subspecies - they captured one on film for the very first time (see images below). If that doesn't just make you giddy for the perseverance of nature in such challenging times for biodiversity...
As a family, the lorises are a comically cute group of prosimians with pencil-thin limbs, round as a button faces, and impossibly large, bright eyes (kitschy 60s "pity" critters brought to life... thankfully minus the expression of wrenching sadness). The assorted species and subspecies vary slightly in size between 6 - 14", each one clothed in a slightly different shade of ambiguous browny-gray, and on the whole they are cautiously slow but precise in their movements from branch to branch; they are also mainly nocturnal (hence the great saucers for eyes) and hunt for insects, eggs, and tasty vegetation in the night. Characterized by shorter limbs and thicker, more dense fur than other slender loris forms, the tailless Horton Plains slender loris is well suited for the chilly Sri Lankan montane forest (mountain rainforest) it calls home - montane forest grows between an altitude of 3,300 - 6,600 feet; lowland species of loris have no need for cold tolerance, reflected by their shorter fur and large, bare ears, but temperatures in the montane can dip to -4˚C (25˚F), so the Horton Plains loris dresses appropriately.
Below are some lovely drawings of distinguishing facial features between red (left) and gray (right) lorises, from an identification guide at www.loris-conservation.org (artist does not appear to be noted); the photos from this week's announcement about the Horton Plains slender loris rediscovery (courtesy the Zoological Society of London); and a rather contorted slender loris on a vintage postcard - coincidentally the animal pictured was photographed at the Gardens of the Zoological Society of London, Regent's Park. And if you have any interest in hearing a loris, the wonders of the interwebs allow me to provide you with this.
What thrilling news to end a week with (and well timed, as I'm working on an upcoming post on Pottos, a close loris cousin) - now lets hope that our collective newfound awareness about this fragile fellow will result in faster action to preserve what's left of Sri Lanka's dwindling rainforests, and all of their rare and unusual inhabitants.... but not to end on a note of total foreboding, if you'd like to see a loris "in action" (and have your day brightened about 10 fold), please, check out Sonya, a pet slow loris... being tickled.
