Why is this animal unusual?
It has a gland on the inside of each elbow. When threatened, it licks the gland, mixes the oil with its saliva and delivers a bite that can cause serious, slow-healing wounds – and in people, sometimes a dangerous allergic reaction.
Why does it look like that?
Enormous eyes for seeing at night, a wet nose, and a round head it can turn almost all the way around.
Strangest biological feature
An iron grip. Special blood vessels in its hands and feet let it hold on to a branch for hours without its muscles tiring.
Why is it strange?
Raising its arms above its head isn’t “asking for tickles”. It’s the loris reaching for the venom glands on its elbows.
Interesting behavioral facts
Mothers lick their babies with venom before leaving them parked on a branch, to protect them from predators.
Records held
The only primate in the world with a venomous bite.
