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Red slender loris
The red slender loris (Loris tardigradus) is a small, nocturnal stephsirrhine primate native to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. This is No. 6 of the 10 focal species and No. 22 of the 100 EDGE mammal species worldwide considered the most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered.
The taxonomy of slender lorises in Sri Lanka has undergone significant revision. Early classifications recognized multiple subspecies. A pivotal review split them into two species: the small, red wet-zone endemic Loris tardigradus and the larger, greyish Loris lydekkerianus found in India and parts of Sri Lanka. Genetic and morphological studies later supported this split.
Recent work refined the classification of the red slender loris, identifying three subspecies based on morphology and geography: L. t. tardigradus, L. t. nycticeboides, and L. t. parvus.
Three subspecies of this species are recognized:
This small, slender primate is distinguished by large forward-facing eyes used for precise depth perception, long slender limbs, a well-developed index finger, the absence of tail, and large prominent ears, which are thin, rounded and hairless at the edges. The soft dense fur is reddish-brown color on the back, and the underside is whitish-grey with a sprinkling of silver hair. Its body length on average is 18–25 cm (7–10 in), with an average weight of a mere 85–370 g (3–13 oz). This loris has a four-way grip on each foot. The big toe opposes the other 4 toes for a pincer-like grip on branches and food. It has a dark face mask with central pale stripe, much like the slow lorises.
L. tardigradus tardigradus is reddish brown in the back and creamy yellow below, while L. tardigradus nycticeboides is dark brown dorsally and very light brown in upperparts.
This species is endemic to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is typically found in the southwestern wet zone and the adjacent central highlands. Its range spans the wet southwestern region, extending from Colombo through Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, and Matara, and possibly into the wetter parts of Hambantota District.
The species has been documented in numerous protected and proposed forest reserves across several provinces. Western Province (Maimbulakanda, Pilikuttuwa, Kalukele, Horagolla, Dikkele, Meerigama Kanda, Labugama Kalatuwawa, Indikada Mukalana, Koskanda, Bodinagala, Yagirala, and Madakada), Southern Province (Oliyagankele, Welihena, Masmullah, Kekanadura, Beraliya Mukalana, Dandeniya-Aparekka, Kanneliya, Polgahakanda, and Kottawa), Sabaragamuwa Province (Sinharaja World Heritage Site, Delwala, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Gilimale, Madampe, and Salgala), Central Province (Horton Plains National Park, Kikiliyamana, Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve, and Conical Hill).
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Red slender loris
The red slender loris (Loris tardigradus) is a small, nocturnal stephsirrhine primate native to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. This is No. 6 of the 10 focal species and No. 22 of the 100 EDGE mammal species worldwide considered the most evolutionarily distinct and globally endangered.
The taxonomy of slender lorises in Sri Lanka has undergone significant revision. Early classifications recognized multiple subspecies. A pivotal review split them into two species: the small, red wet-zone endemic Loris tardigradus and the larger, greyish Loris lydekkerianus found in India and parts of Sri Lanka. Genetic and morphological studies later supported this split.
Recent work refined the classification of the red slender loris, identifying three subspecies based on morphology and geography: L. t. tardigradus, L. t. nycticeboides, and L. t. parvus.
Three subspecies of this species are recognized:
This small, slender primate is distinguished by large forward-facing eyes used for precise depth perception, long slender limbs, a well-developed index finger, the absence of tail, and large prominent ears, which are thin, rounded and hairless at the edges. The soft dense fur is reddish-brown color on the back, and the underside is whitish-grey with a sprinkling of silver hair. Its body length on average is 18–25 cm (7–10 in), with an average weight of a mere 85–370 g (3–13 oz). This loris has a four-way grip on each foot. The big toe opposes the other 4 toes for a pincer-like grip on branches and food. It has a dark face mask with central pale stripe, much like the slow lorises.
L. tardigradus tardigradus is reddish brown in the back and creamy yellow below, while L. tardigradus nycticeboides is dark brown dorsally and very light brown in upperparts.
This species is endemic to the rainforests of Sri Lanka. It is typically found in the southwestern wet zone and the adjacent central highlands. Its range spans the wet southwestern region, extending from Colombo through Kalutara, Ratnapura, Kegalle, Galle, and Matara, and possibly into the wetter parts of Hambantota District.
The species has been documented in numerous protected and proposed forest reserves across several provinces. Western Province (Maimbulakanda, Pilikuttuwa, Kalukele, Horagolla, Dikkele, Meerigama Kanda, Labugama Kalatuwawa, Indikada Mukalana, Koskanda, Bodinagala, Yagirala, and Madakada), Southern Province (Oliyagankele, Welihena, Masmullah, Kekanadura, Beraliya Mukalana, Dandeniya-Aparekka, Kanneliya, Polgahakanda, and Kottawa), Sabaragamuwa Province (Sinharaja World Heritage Site, Delwala, Peak Wilderness Sanctuary, Gilimale, Madampe, and Salgala), Central Province (Horton Plains National Park, Kikiliyamana, Hakgala Strict Nature Reserve, and Conical Hill).