WildTrace Open in WildTrace app →

Kayan River slow loris

Nycticebus kayan

MammalThe IUCN classifies the…

Taxonomy

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammal
Order
Primates
Family
Lorisidae
Genus
Nycticebus

Habitat

This species inhabits primary and secondary tropical rainforests in northern and central Borneo, particularly along the Kayan River basin in Indonesia and Malaysia. It prefers dense vegetation in lowland and hilly areas up to 500 meters elevation, where it can move through the canopy and understory.

Diet

The Kayan River slow loris feeds primarily on insects like beetles and moths, as well as fruits, nectar, and small vertebrates such as lizards. It uses its specialized tooth comb to extract gum from trees and forages nocturnally, moving slowly through branches to capture prey.

Behavior

This slow loris is nocturnal and solitary, spending most of its time in trees where it moves deliberately to avoid detection. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking its range with urine and vocalizations, and is known for its ability to hang motionless for extended periods. Social interactions are minimal, occurring mainly during mating.

Conservation Status

The IUCN classifies the Kayan River slow loris as Endangered, with populations declining due to habitat loss from logging and the illegal pet trade.