I have watched this video many times, and (maybe like you) have uttered an “awww – how cute”. Now, far be it from me to rain on anyone’s parade,….but I’m going to. The video shows a SLOW LORIS having a good ole-fashioned belly and armpit rub. But why is that Loris in someone’s home – when the primate is listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. Their natural range is Borneo, the southern Philippines in Southeast Asia, through Bangladesh, Vietnam, Indonesia, India (North Eastern India, Bengal), southern China (Yunnan area), and Thailand.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rLdQ3UhLoD4
The Loris moves so slowly that he’s an easy target for poachers in his native Southeast Asia,..they are hunted for their large eyes which are prized for local traditional medicine. Its only natural defenses are 1) holding onto a branch really tight; 2) a semi-toxic bite; 3) emitting an unpleasant smell; and 4) curling up into a protective ball-like shape. The Loris will nibble on his inner elbow to get toxins, then mixes the toxins in his mouth so that when he bites, it will sting more. The toxin is not fatal or debilitating for humans, but it does cause some pain, swelling, and redness.
Besides being hunted and captured to be sold as pets, Lorises are threatened with habitat loss due to agriculture and logging.
The Indonesian name, malu malu, can be translated as “shy one”.
PLEASE DON’T BE SHY – LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE STORY OF THE LORIS. BLOG ME!