THE SLENDER LORIS (Loris tardigrata) in Kerala

Local Name: Kuttithevanku

Distinctive Characters:- Much like the Slow Loris in form, but less pleasing because of its lean and lanky appearance. The limbs are longer and more slender, the ears larger, the snout more pointed; the eyes more close-set. The fur is less dense, yet soft and woolly. Its colour varies from dark grey to earthy brown with an embellishment of silvery hairs, the lower parts always much paler. The dark spinal stripe is never strongly pronounced and is sometimes absent. Eyes, circled with black or dark brown. Muzzle, white.

Habit:- The Slender Loris has the same secretive and nocturnal habits as the Slow Loris, but it is not confined to dense forest, and is found equally in open tree jungle. It does not keep exclusively to the trees, but comes down into bushes to feed, and most often cross open stretches of ground to enter isolated groves or to cross from one tree to another. It sleep by day, hidden among foliage or in a hole or crevice, and start its rambles at dusk.