Memphis Zoo raising endangered infant pygmy slow loris. What we know about the baby
The newest addition to the Memphis Zoo's primate gang, a ping pong ball-sized pygmy slow loris, is being hand-raised behind the scenes, the zoo announced Monday.
Born on Dec. 13, the rare and endangered animal needs round-the-clock care with feeding every two hours. The zoo reported the young primate has graduated from formula to a "slurry of banana, leaf eater biscuit, water, and formula," which he now eats out of a bowl.
The nocturnal, tree-dwelling animal is indigenous to forested areas in Southeast Asia; its wide eyes and opposable thumbs help the pygmy slow loris move around the forest in the night, searching for tasty insects as part of its diet.
The wee animal will be named, the zoo said, after a bit more time of observing its personality.
The pygmy slow loris is generally thought to be a solitary animal, who may occasionally hang out with other pygmy slow loris around mating season, using clicks and whistles to communicate.
Baby primate alert! 🩵 We are excited to announce the birth of the rare and endangered Pygmy slow loris. As of now, he is being carefully raised behind the scenes, but you can keep up with him on our social media! #MemphisZoo pic.twitter.com/5VpbarrjJd
— Memphis Zoo (@MemphisZoo) January 29, 2024
The pygmy slow loris at the Memphis Zoo might join other nocturnal pals in the "Animals of the Night" exhibit once it is weaned.
Micaela Watts is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal and can be reached at micaela.watts@commercialappeal.com.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis zoo welcomes baby Pygmy slow loris to its primate collection
