Nycticebus javanicus
A nocturnal, tree-dwelling primate of Java threatened by wildlife trade. Understanding its behaviour helps turn curiosity into respectful observation.
PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA
Javan slow loris vs Sunda slow loris: the differences
How do the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) and Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.
The Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) and the Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) are different species in the same genus, Nycticebus. Range in Indonesia — the Javan slow loris: Java, Indonesia; the Sunda slow loris: Sumatra, the Riau Islands and the Natuna Islands.
Nycticebus coucang
The Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) is a slow, venomous nocturnal primate of Sumatra, threatened by the pet trade and protected in Indonesia.
Javan slow loris and Sunda slow loris compared
| Aspect | Javan slow loris | Sunda slow loris |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Nycticebus javanicus | Nycticebus coucang |
| Indonesian name | Kukang Jawa | Kukang sunda |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates | Primates |
| Family | Lorisidae | Lorisidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Java, Indonesia | Sumatra, the Riau Islands and the Natuna Islands |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes | No |
| Key features | One of the venomous mammals | Large eyes, white stripe between them, slow movements |
| Diet | — | Tree gum, nectar and fruit; sometimes insects, snails and eggs |
| Diet type | omnivore (eats plants and animals) | omnivore (eats plants and animals) |
| Reproduction | giving birth to live young (viviparous) | giving birth to live young (viviparous) |
| IUCN status | Critically Endangered | Endangered |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |
Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page; an empty cell means the data is not yet available, not that it is absent.
How to tell them apart
- Javan slow loris: One of the venomous mammals.
- Sunda slow loris: Large eyes, white stripe between them, slow movements.
Sources
- Little Fireface Project — Current research ↗
- Little Fireface Project — Welcome and current focus ↗
- Little Fireface Project — About the project ↗
- International Animal Rescue — The Truth Behind the Slow Loris Pet Trade ↗
- JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗
- Handbook of the Mammals of the World (via Zenodo) ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- IUCN Red List ↗
- Environment shapes sleep patterns in a wild nocturnal primate (Reinhardt et al. 2019, Scientific Reports; PMC) ↗
- Barrett et al. 2021, Risky Business: The Function of Play in a Venomous Mammal - The Javan Slow Loris (Nycticebus javanicus) (Toxins) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- Animal Diversity Web — Nycticebus coucang (Sunda slow loris) ↗
- Mammal Diversity Database (ASM) — Nycticebus coucang, Malaysian (Sunda) Slow Loris ↗
- Mammal Diversity Database (ASM) — Nycticebus hilleri, Hiller's Slow Loris ↗
- Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases — Nekaris et al. (2013), Mad, bad and dangerous to know: the biochemistry, ecology and evolution of slow loris venom ↗
- PLOS ONE — Nekaris et al. (2013), Tickled to death: analysing public perceptions of ‘cute’ videos of threatened species (slow lorises) on Web 2.0 sites ↗
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