# red slender loris (*Loris tardigradus*) The red slender loris is a small, cute primate with big eyes and a tiny body. They are very slow movers and love to eat insects and fruits in the trees. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![red slender loris](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Loris_tardigradus_tardigradus_001.jpg&width=800) Photo: Dr. K.A.I. Nekaris, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Loris_tardigradus_tardigradus_001.jpg) ## Appearance The red slender loris has large, round, reddish-brown eyes and soft, dense fur that ranges from reddish-brown to dark rufous. Its body is slender with long, thin limbs, and it lacks a visible tail. It looks visually distinct with its bright red eyes contrasting its grey eye patches and a paler underside. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Lorisidae - **Genus:** Loris ## Interesting facts - During the day, they curl up tightly like a ball to sleep in tree hollows. - Red slender lorises use a special scent to mark their territory and talk to each other. - They can twist their heads almost 180 degrees to look behind them! - This loris has hardly any tail, just a tiny stub hidden in its fur! ## Special abilities - **Stealthy Hunter:** Red slender lorises can move incredibly slowly and silently because of their specialized muscles, which helps them sneak up on unsuspecting prey. - **Super Night Vision:** Red slender lorises have huge eyes with a special reflective layer that helps them gather more light to see perfectly in the dark. - **Amazing Grip:** Red slender lorises have powerful grasping hands and feet with opposable thumbs that help them cling tightly to branches, even upside down. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 18-25 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.35 kg - **Lifespan:** 12-15 years - **Speed:** 2 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-2 - **Gestation:** 160-170 days ## Diet & Feeding These nimble night hunters munch on insects, fruits, and tiny animals found in their forest homes. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Grasshoppers, Berries, Leaves, Bird eggs, Small lizards - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — A nocturnal bird of prey in its habitat. - **Eaten by:** Spectacled Cobra (*Naja naja*) — A snake that preys on small mammals and birds. - **Eats:** African Field Cricket (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — A common insect that forms part of its diet. - **Shelter:** Indian Almond Tree (*Terminalia catappa*) — Uses its dense canopy for daytime rest. - **Shelter:** Jackfruit Tree (*Artocarpus heterophyllus*) — Provides refuge in its thick foliage. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low These animals are shy and should be admired from a distance. Never try to touch or catch one. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify red slender 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 red slender loris? 18-25 cm ### How much does red slender loris weigh? 0.1-0.35 kg ### How long does red slender loris live? 12-15 years ### How fast can red slender loris move? 2 km/h ### What does red slender loris eat? These nimble night hunters munch on insects, fruits, and tiny animals found in their forest homes. ### Where is red slender loris usually found? Forests ### How does red slender loris hunt? Ambush ## 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: [Red Slender Loris: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-slender-loris)