Detailed Description:
Sunda Loris
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nycticebus_coucang
Conservation status: Vulnerable
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Family: Lorisidae
Genus: Nycticebus
Species: N. coucang
Binomial name: Nycticebus coucang
The Sunda Slow Loris (Nycticebus coucang) is one of three of slow loris, native to Southeast Asia. This slow moving strepsirrhine primate has large eyes that point forward, and ears that are small and nearly hidden in the fur. Its tail is a mere stump. They tend to be smaller than other Loris, for instance N. bengalensis, but larger than N. pygmaeus. The Sunda Loris is a diurnal and arboreal animal that prefers the tops of the trees. Its scientific name derives from Kukang, its common name in Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia. They are also commonly known as Malu-malu ("shy Kuskus", from the erroneous association with the Kuskus species). In Indonesia they are sometimes called "Bukang" or "Kalamasan". In Malaysia they are sometimes known as "Kongkang" or "Kera Duku" (Kera, macaque; Duku, fruit). In Borneo, they are called Tandaiandong (Dusun) or sesir (Sennah).
Range and habitat
Sunda Loris inhabit orchards, plantations, bamboo forests and also tropical rain forests in parts of the Malaysian peninsula, Thailand, and Java and Borneo islands in Indonesia. There is also a population on N.c. menagensis on the Philippine Tawitawi Archipelago. N. c. coucang are found in Malaysia, Thailand, several Indonesian islands, and Singapore. N.c. menagensis is found only on Borneo, Malaysia, and Tawitawi, while N. c. javanicus is found only on Java. In 2007 there were as of yet no agreed population figures.
Identification and behavior
Like other Slow lorises, N. coucang are arboreal and nocturnal primates, resting by day in the forks of trees, or in thick vegetation and feeding on fruit and insects by night. Unlike other Loris species, N. coucang remain in trees most of their lives: while N. bengalensis will often sleep on the ground, N. coucang sleep in a ball in branches or foliage. N. coucang prefer continuous canopy hardwood forests, but while found in similar forested surroundings, a 2007 report concluded that the exact habitats of N. javanicus and N. c. menagensis remain unknown.[4] Adults live in overlapping ranges of 0.004 km2 to 0.25 km2.[4] Apart from reproduction, N. coucang are largely solitary: one 1967 study recorded the most Slow Lorises ever seen together were six, and this was one female in estrus and five male suitors.
Diet
N. coucang consume tree sap, floral nectar, fruit, plant gums and arthropods.
Coloring
N. coucang have dark rings around the eyes, a white nose and a darker stripe extends from the top of the head down the spine. Its soft, thick, woolly fur is a light brownish gray to reddish brown. N. coucang has light brown pelage, with a dark stripe down its back. The species is distinct from N. bengalensis for the accentuated inverse teardrop dark markings around the eyes which meet the dark back stripe in the same location stripes beginning ate the ears meet it. The Nycticebus pygmaeus has as distinct markings, but the eye colorings often do not meets the back stripe, while Nycticebus coucang javanicus shares with Nycticebus pygmaeus the contrast between dark stripes and white face. N. coucang tend to have a much more distinct white stripe between the eyes, more distinct dark coloring around the eyes, and a browner coat than the larger, grayer, and less contrasted N. bengalensis. N. coucang have less white facial coloring than the much smaller Nycticebus pygmaeus, except for the Nycticebus coucang javanicus, which is marked by contrasting black or brown eye rings on a whiter face.
Size
N. c. coucang measure between 27–38 cm and weigh 599–685g. N. c. menagensis are smaller at 265–300g and N. c. javanicus are around 565–687g. By contrast, N. pygmaeus is much smaller at ~420g and as small as 15 cm in body length.[4] N. coucang do not show sexual dimorphism by weight.[4] The tail is very short, around 1 cm to 2 cm. N. coucang have a long, curved grooming claw on their front hands. Like other Loris, they excrete a mild venom from glands beneath their arms which they spread over their bodies while grooming.
Predators
All Nycticebus species produce a toxin in glands on the insides of their elbows - the branchial region. This they spread across their bodies and those of their offspring while grooming. When threatened with predators, N. coucang can bite, roll into a ball exposing their toxic saliva covered fur, or roll up and drop from the trees. Their toxic bite can be fatal to humans.This was discussed on the Bite Me with Dr Mike television show.[4] Pythons (Python reticulatus) Hawk-eagles (Spizaetus cirrhatus) and orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) have been recorded as predators of N. coucang.
Reproduction
Slow loris are polygamous and give birth to a single offspring with twins occurring rarely. Females reach puberty between the ages of 18 and 24 months, with males reaching puberty slightly earlier(Izard et al., 1988). Gestation period lasts between 180 days or 6 months. A single young is born (occasionally twins) after a gestation period. The young will remain with the mother for up to nine months while the males are territorial. The young have an expected lifespan about 12–14 years.
Threats
Slow Loris are threatened by loss of habitat as well as the pet trade. [10] While trade in these animals is illegal, the slow moving Kukang can be found in pet markets in Indonesia and Brunei. Brunei authorities have a confiscation and rerelease program for animals found in markets at Tasek Merimbun Heritage Park.