# Bengal Slow Loris (*Nycticebus bengalensis*) The Bengal Slow Loris is a small, nocturnal primate with big, round eyes. It moves slowly through the trees and has a special way of climbing using all four limbs. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Habitat:** Rainforest - **Also known as:** Bengal Loris ![Bengal Slow Loris](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425919/objects/5901.jpg) ## Appearance The Bengal Slow Loris has large, round, dark eyes and soft, dense fur that ranges from reddish-brown to grey. It features a distinctive dark stripe running down its back, contrasting with its lighter belly, and possesses tiny, hidden ears. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Lorisidae - **Genus:** Nycticebus ## Interesting facts - Baby lorises cling tightly to their mother's fur for many months! - These forest dwellers love to sip on tree sap as a sugary treat! - They can twist their heads nearly all the way around to look behind them! - When threatened, they curl into a tight ball, protecting their soft belly! ## Special abilities - **Venomous Defense:** Bengal Slow Loris can deliver a venomous bite because of a gland in its arm that mixes toxins with saliva, helping them ward off predators. - **Night Vision Master:** Bengal Slow Loris has enormous, forward-facing eyes that gather extra light, helping them see clearly and hunt in the darkest nights. - **Super Gripper:** Bengal Slow Loris can cling incredibly tightly to branches for hours, thanks to powerful hand and foot grips, helping them move securely and sleep. - **Silent Stalker:** Bengal Slow Loris has extremely slow and deliberate movements that help them sneak up on prey and avoid detection by predators. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 26-38 cm - **Weight:** 0.6-2.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-20 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 180-190 days ## Diet & Feeding An omnivore, it enjoys sticky tree sap, juicy fruits, tasty insects, and even small lizards! - **Primary Foods:** Tree sap (gum), Fruits, Insects, Nectar, Small lizards, Bird eggs - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Changeable Hawk-Eagle (*Nisaetus cirrhatus*) — A sharp-eyed bird of prey that hunts the slow loris from above. - **Eats:** Sacred Fig (*Ficus religiosa*) — Feeds on the sweet, energy-rich fruits of this common fig tree. - **Eats:** Asiatic Honey Bee (*Apis cerana*) — Raids bee nests for nutritious honey and larvae as a food source. - **Eaten by:** Indian Python (*Python molurus*) — A large constrictor that ambushes lorises in trees at night. ## Traits - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Ancient Lineage](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Rainforest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/rainforest): This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover. - [Toxic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/toxic): Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure. - [Vampiric](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/vampiric): Vampiric organisms are those that obtain nutrients by feeding on the blood or bodily fluids of other animals. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Venomous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/venomous): Venomous organisms produce toxins that are injected into another animal, typically through a bite or sting. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Never try to touch or handle a Bengal Slow Loris in the wild. They are wild animals and need their space. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Bengal Slow Loris? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Bengal Slow Loris? 26-38 cm ### How much does Bengal Slow Loris weigh? 0.6-2.1 kg ### How long does Bengal Slow Loris live? 12-20 years ### How fast can Bengal Slow Loris move? 2 km/h ### What does Bengal Slow Loris eat? An omnivore, it enjoys sticky tree sap, juicy fruits, tasty insects, and even small lizards! ### Where is Bengal Slow Loris usually found? Rainforest ### How does Bengal Slow Loris hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Bengal Slow Loris: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bengal-slow-loris)