Slender Loris

A slender loris at ZSL London Zoo in the night zone.

What they look like

The slender loris gets its name from having thin arms and legs. They have gigantic saucer-like brown eyes that dominate their faces and a short second digit and toe that they use to grasp branches like a thumb.

Animal facts

These lorises climb extremely slowly and cautiously along branches to avoid attracting the attention of predators or alerting their insect prey. Lorises approach their prey silently suddenly grabbing it with one or both hands.

What they eat

Insects, small reptiles, birds and eggs.


Forest and open woodland.

Where they live

Southern India and Sri Lanka.


At the slightest sound or movement the loris freezes and stays perfectly still until danger has passed.

Estimated 1,500 in the wild