In Photos: Cute New Slow Loris Species

New slow loris, Nycticebus kayan

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

Researchers have discovered an entirely new species of slow loris, Nycticebus kayan, on the island of Borneo.

Kayan loris

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

This particular species is found in the central-east highland area of Borneo and is named for a major river flowing in its region, the Kayan.

Slow loris snacking

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

The Kayan loris pictured here is eating a cicada.

More species than previously thought

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

Besides finding the Kayan loris (above), researchers have identified two more unique loris species (N. bancanus, N. borneanus), which before had been considered possible sub-species of N. menagensis.

Pygmy slow loris

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

Slow lorises can be found across South East Asia, from Bangladesh and China's Yunnan province to the island of Borneo. The pygmy slow loris in this image is a rare, omnivorous creature from lowland forests of Indochina. It was photographed at the Endangered Primate Rescue Centre in Vietnam.

Pygmy slow loris

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

A pygmy slow loris munches on a giant stick insect in this picture.

Sunda slow loris

(Image credit: Ch'ien Lee)

The nocturnal, tree-loving primate feeds on small animals, insects and soft fruits. It has a toxic bite and listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The creature in this photo is the Sunda slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), found in parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

Live Science Staff
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