Pygmy Slow Loris – Nycticebus pygmaeus – Bonhote, 1907

Science name: Nycticebus pygmaeus – Bonhote, 1907

Taxonomic:  Animalia>> Chordata>> Mammalia>> Primates >> Lorisidae >> pygmaeus

Species status: Near-Endemic ; IUCN status: EN (Endangered Species)

Description:

Physical Characteristics:
Nycticebus pygmaeus, commonly known as the Pygmy Slow Loris, resembles the larger slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang) but is smaller in size and has a yellowish-brown coat. The species has distinctive brownish-yellow rings of fur around its eyes and dark brown stripes running from the top of its head over its eyes. A broad reddish-brown patch runs from the base of its ears and merges on the top of the head. Its fur is soft, with a combination of reddish-brown and white hair. A white streak runs along the nose, and the back lacks or has faint dorsal stripes. The underbelly is silvery-yellow. The second toe features a claw, while other toes have nails.

Size and Dentition:
The second molar is larger than the first, which helps differentiate it from other species. The molars are adapted for their diet, which includes insects, fruits, and exudates from trees.

Distribution and habitat:

Altitude:
Nycticebus pygmaeus is found at elevations ranging from 50 to 1,500 meters above sea level.

Range:
The species is distributed across eastern Cambodia, southernmost China (southeastern Yunnan), Lao PDR, and Vietnam. Its western distribution in the Mekong plain, particularly in Lao PDR and Cambodia, is uncertain. It likely does not occur in the extreme western parts of the Mekong plain.

Habitat:
This species inhabits various environments, including primary evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, forests on limestone, bamboo thickets, secondary, and even highly degraded habitats. It is found in subtropical and tropical moist lowland and montane forests. The species has adapted to a variety of habitats and is also found in forests that have been heavily degraded or transformed by human activity, such as cashew plantations and rice paddies.

Behaviour and ecology:

Social Structure and Behavior:
The social organization typically involves one male sharing territory with one or possibly two females and their offspring. The average home range for males is 22 hectares, and for females, it is 12 hectares. This species is primarily nocturnal, foraging alone or in small groups of up to four individuals. They sleep high in the canopy, typically around 8.5 meters from the ground, in thick vegetation.

Diet:
The diet of Nycticebus pygmaeus is highly varied and consists of exudates (such as tree gums), fruits, arthropods, flower parts, fungi, bamboo shoots, and occasionally small vertebrates like reptiles. Studies in the wild have shown a preference for exudates, which make up a significant portion of their diet. Other food sources include insects (such as beetles and moths), reptile scales, bones from small animals, and small mammals like bats.

Reproduction:
The Pygmy Slow Loris is a seasonal breeder, with births typically occurring in the winter months. Females usually give birth to twins, both in the wild and in captivity. The gestation period is around 188 days, and the young reach sexual maturity at 9 months (females) or 17-20 months (males). In the wild, individuals can live for up to 20 years.

Conservation and status:

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria:
The species is listed as Endangered (EN) under criteria A2cd+4cd, indicating a suspected decline of more than 50% in population over the last three generations (24 years) and a similar expected decline in the next 24 years. This is primarily due to hunting for the pet trade, traditional medicine, and habitat loss due to agriculture and human settlements.

Population Trend:
The population is currently in decline, with reduced numbers observed in the wild. The population is not considered severely fragmented, but habitat loss and hunting pressures contribute significantly to the population decrease.

Threats:
The primary threats to the species include hunting for pet trade, food, and traditional medicine. Habitat loss due to human activities, such as agricultural expansion (particularly for cashew, corn, and rice cultivation), is also a major issue. The high demand for the species in the market and declining population numbers reflect the gravity of these threats.

Conservation Actions:
Efforts to protect Nycticebus pygmaeus include its listing in the Vietnam Red Data Book and other conservation initiatives. However, further measures are needed to combat illegal hunting and habitat destruction. Enforcement of laws protecting wildlife, establishing nature reserves, and creating management programs for endangered species are essential steps to ensure the species’ survival.