The Slow Loris is a rare and wonderful creature to see on Koh Chang, but sadly they are endangered and a lot are illegally traded to other countries. They are jungle dwellers and can climb and hang with great skill. They move quite slowly (hence the name slow loris) and they are very deliberate in their actions, gripping tightly and then moving, always sure of their grip.
They are mainly nocturnal and eat a range of food from mainly fruit to small insects and sometimes even small animals. They have a toxic bite that can cause swelling and discomfort and in very rare circumstances anaphylactic shock in humans. So if you do ever handle them, which is not a good idea, be aware that if you are allergic to bee stings – the Slow Loris can have the same effect.
They are primates though and are distantly related to lemurs. It is also thought that although they eat a rich diet they have a slow metabolism due to the fact they can safely ingest food that is toxic to most other animals.
