Sunda slow lorikeets

Sunda slow lorikeets
	Sunda slow lorikeet ( Nycticebus coucang )
Systematics
Order :	Primates (Primates)
Subordination :	Wet-nose primates (Strepsirrhini)
Partial order :	Lori-like (Lorisiformes)
Family :	Loris (Lorisidae)
Genre :	Slow Loris ( Nycticebus )
Type :	Sunda slow lorikeets
Scientific name
	Nycticebus coucang
	( Boddaert , 1785)

The Sunda Slow Lorikeet ( Nycticebus coucang ) is a species of primate from the Loris family (Lorisidae). The Java slow lorikeet ( N. javanicus ) and the Philippines slow lorikeet ( N. menagensis ) are sometimes separated as separate species, but are only considered subspecies according to Wilson & Reeder. The Bengal slow lorikeet , which was also previously considered a subspecies, is recognized as a separate species.

features

Sunda slow loris reach a head body length of 26 to 38 centimeters, there is no tail. The weight is around 0.8 to 1.6 kilograms, sometimes a little heavier. The fur color varies from gray-brown to red-brown on the upper side, the underside is slightly lighter. Sometimes there is a dark stripe on the back. The second finger is shortened, the thumb and the first toe can be opposed , which ensures a secure, firm grip on the branches. The number of thoracic and sacral vertebrae is increased, which allows them to wind around the branches in a very flexible manner. The eyes are large and directed forward, with a light stripe often running between them. The ears are rounded and partially hidden in the fur.

They are among the few poisonous mammals. A gland on the arm produces a secretion that, in conjunction with saliva, develops its toxicity. They lick themselves off, the poison drives away a number of potential predators ( cats , crawling cats and sun bears ) and can also be transmitted with bites. The use of the poison has so far only been investigated in laboratory tests, the extent to which it is used in the wild is not known.

distribution and habitat

These primates are native to Southeast Asia , their range includes the Malay Peninsula , the islands of Sumatra , Borneo and Java as well as smaller offshore islands. Their habitat are rainforests, mostly in the crown region of the trees.

Lifestyle and diet

Sunda slow loris, like all lories, are nocturnal tree dwellers that hardly ever come to the ground. During the day they sleep curled up in the dense vegetation. At night they go in search of food, moving very slowly and carefully and making little noise.

They live largely solitary and are territorial. They urinate on their hands and leave behind a scent trail on their forays that draws their conspecifics attention to their presence. Males react aggressively to conspecifics, but their territory can overlap with that of several females.

These animals primarily eat insects and fruits, but to a lesser extent they also eat small vertebrates, eggs and various plant material. When hunting, they cautiously sneak up on the prey and then grab hold of both front paws in one quick movement.

Reproduction

After a gestation period of around 190 days, the female usually gives birth to a single young. This initially clings to the mother, but is later left behind in the branches while searching for food. The mother licks it off to protect it with her poison. It is weaned after about five to seven months and becomes sexually mature at one and a half to two years. In human care, these animals can live to be over 25 years.

Sunda slow loris and people

The people of Southeast Asia associate some superstitions with these animals. Their pelts are said to have healing powers for wounds; a ship that has a slow lorikeet as a mascot does not go down. They are also often made into pets . Captured animals have their teeth pulled frequently, which often leads to infections or death and makes it impossible to reintroduce them to the wild.

Hunting represents the main threat to this species, and in some places there is also the destruction of their habitat. The IUCN divides the Sunda Slow Loris to three types, and lists the populations on the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra ( Nycticebus (coucang) coucang ) and Borneo ( N. (c.) Menagensis ) as "at risk" ( vulnerable ) and the population on Java ( N. (c.) javanicus () as "high risk" endangered ).

In Europe the species is only shown in Prague, former owners are Berlin and Paris.

literature

Thomas Geissmann : Comparative Primatology. Springer-Verlag, Berlin et al. 2002, ISBN 3-540-43645-6 .
Ronald M. Nowak: Walker's Mammals of the World. 6th edition. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 1999, ISBN 0-8018-5789-9 .
Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder (Eds.): Mammal Species of the World. A taxonomic and geographic Reference. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore MD 2005, ISBN 0-8018-8221-4 .

supporting documents

↑ [1] ZTL 17.6.

Web links

Commons : Sunda slow lorikeet ( Nycticebus coucang ) - Collection of images, videos and audio files

[1] [1] ZTL 17.6.