New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (2024)

Rick Pantaleo

New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (2)

One of the newly identified species of slow loris, Nycticebus kayan. (Photo: Ch’ien C Lee)

An endangered lemur-like primate with two tongues and a toxic bite has more branches on its family tree than originally thought.

Writing in the American Journal of Primatology, Missouri researchers say they’ve identified three new species of the slow loris – the only venomous primate in the world – living on the Indonesian island of Borneo.

At first glance, with its big brown eyes and teddy-bear face, this nocturnal mammal appears cute and cuddly, but it’s got a lethal bite, which can cause fever, pain and swelling. For humans who suffer from allergic reactions, it can also be deadly.

Due to a benign appearance, and its uses in traditional medicine, the slow loris is a favorite of poachers throughout southeastern Asia and its surrounding islands.

The three newly identified species were originally grouped with another species. Now that the slow loris has been divided into four distinct classes, its risk of extinction is greater than previously believed. However, in the long run, it could also help efforts to protect the primate.

“Four separate species are harder to protect than one, since each species needs to maintain its population numbers and have sufficient forest habitat,” says lead author Rachel Munds from University of Missouri. “Unfortunately, in addition to habitat loss to deforestation, there is a booming black market demand for the animals. They are sold as pets, used as props for tourist photos or dismembered for use in traditional Asian medicines.”

New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (3)

The teeth of a juvenile slow loris are removed by an animal trafficker. (Photo: International Animal Rescue)

Munds says slow lorises are not and cannot be domesticated and that keeping them as pets is cruel. The primates are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

“Zoos rarely succeed in breeding them,” says Munds. “Nearly all the primates in the pet trade are taken from the wild, breaking the bonds of the lorises’ complex and poorly understood social structures.”

Those who breed them as pets often pull out the teeth, depriving the the animal of its venomous bite. Many of these illegally captured primates die due to the foul conditions of pet markets.

“Once in the home, pet keepers don’t provide the primates with the social, nutritional and habitat requirements they need to live comfortably,” Munds says. “Pet keepers also want to play with the nocturnal animals during the day, disrupting their sleep patterns.”

New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (4)

The under-tongue of a slow loris sticks out beneath the primary tongue. (Photo: David Haring – Duke Lemur Center)

The Missouri researchers examined various museum specimens, photographs and actual live animals that had been lumped into the original single species. After noticing the animals had different body sizes, fur thickness, habitats and facial markings, scientists realized they’d identified four separate species of the slow loris rather than just the one.

Now instead of one animal listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, there may be four endangered or threatened species.

Categories
Plants and Animals
Tags
"big eyes", "black market", "slow loris", "Southeast Asia", "traditional medicine", "University of Missouri", Borneo, cute, deforestation, endangered, extinct, Indonesia, lemur, nocturnal, primate, species, threatened, toxic, venomous

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24 Comments

  2. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (8)Science World says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:04 pm

    Dear Ms. Krueger,

    Thanks for writing and pointing this out. Although we did find a number of other references that referred to the slow loris as being poisonous – venomous is correct in this instance. Poison must touch or be ingested to work on animals… venom on the other hand must be injected into the animal target to work. Thanks again.

    Science World

  3. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (9)H. Ferreira says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    I beg to differ. Another primate is capable of being both poisonous and venomous, and, at first, I thought whom this article was about.

    That animal is man.

  4. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (10)Jon says:

    December 14, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Profound.

  5. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (11)Scott says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:02 pm

    I thought the platypus was poisonous?

  6. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (12)Science World says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    Hello Scott,

    Thanks for writing. You are correct that the platypus is indeed venomous, but here we’re talking about the world’s only (at least so far) primate.

    Thanks again.

    Science World

  7. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (13)Rex says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:59 pm

    A Platypus is not a primate:)

  8. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (14)DAVE SCHMITT says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:21 pm

    shees they need to handle it with care…nailclippers photo? to ruff with the little guy. jerk

  9. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (15)Michael says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:26 pm

    I share an office with a venomous primate, so there’s at least one more.

  10. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (16)Science World says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    Dear Michael,

    Thanks for writing… so sorry to hear about your office mate.

    Regards,

    Science World

  11. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (17)Tyson says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    ERMERGERD ITS SO FRIGEN ADORABLE I WANNA EAT IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  12. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (18)Mike says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    The only venomous primate? So we’re not counting my ex wife?

  13. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (19)Science World says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:37 pm

    Dear Mike,

    Cue the rimshot!

    Thanks… made us LOL.

    Science World

  14. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (20)Alex says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:47 pm

    I think you guys are missing the point: This is an endangered species that happens to be venomous. So, now, think how you can help preserve such beautiful creatures?

  15. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (21)Pooperstein says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    Borneo is not an Indonesian Island as some is Malaysia and the entire country of Brunei. The part of Borneo that is controlled by Indonesia is know as Kalimantan. Not a big deal, but always good to know

  16. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (22)Neil says:

    December 14, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    I think any bit of news or scientific development that will bring more attention to these little guys is great. When more people learn about them and how they’re treated at the hands of traffickers and those who buy them because they’re just so unbearably cute… like living toys to play with at will… hopefully they’ll get more protection.

  17. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (23)derp says:

    December 14, 2012 at 9:11 pm

    O O
    ___

  18. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (24)Jason Wreight says:

    December 14, 2012 at 10:08 pm

    Will someone PLEASE make a crusade of killing animal-traffickers wherever and whenever they’re found? I’ll pay $10,000 per head delivered.

  19. New Species of World’s Only Venomous Primate Found – Science World (25)Crystal L. Bell says:

    January 4, 2013 at 10:29 pm

    Thank you for the article it was very informative and helped with my essay for my professor. I also learned a few new things too so, again, thank you! 😀

Comments are closed.

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