Loris

Periodontal disease / dental infection

SignsBad breath, drooling, facial swelling, avoiding hard food, weight loss

PreventionAnimals whose canines were removed in the illegal trade are especially at risk. Avoid a fruit-heavy diet; have an oral exam once a year

Metabolic bone disease

SignsLimping, weak grip, fractures easily, curved spine

PreventionStop the fruit-based diet; supply calcium via tree gum, insects and a species-specific pellet. Consider a UVB lamp

Diabetes / obesity

SignsExcessive drinking and urination, weight gain then loss, dull coat, cataracts

PreventionCut back sweet fruit and honey; base the diet on acacia gum, insects and vegetables. Record weight weekly

Kidney disease

SignsExcessive drinking and urination, poor appetite, vomiting, weight loss, rough coat

PreventionAvoid excess protein. Fresh water at all times. Annual blood test

Parasites

SignsDiarrhea, soft or bloody stool, weight loss, scooting the anus, worms in stool

PreventionFecal exam on arrival and 1–2 times a year. Change bedding daily and keep clean

Stress-related self-injury

SignsLicking the same spot constantly, hair loss, dermatitis, circling (stereotypic behavior)

PreventionAvoid daytime light and noise. Add hideouts and climbing branches; create nighttime foraging activity

Fracture from a fall

PreventionUse branches of varying thickness, firmly fixed. Thick bedding on the floor. Enclose high areas with mesh

First aidDo not touch; place in a dark box and keep warm. No need to straighten the limb or splint it. See a vet the same day

Bite from a cage mate

PreventionKeep singly as a rule. Even in pairs, check compatibility and provide several hideouts

First aidVenom readily causes necrosis. Rinse the wound under running water; see a vet the same day if swelling appears

Burn (heater)

PreventionUse a covered heat bulb placed out of reach. Control with a thermostat

First aidCool the area with a cold wet towel. Apply no ointment; see a vet the same day

Nail or finger entanglement

PreventionAvoid cloth hammocks and frayed fabric. Check mesh and rope for fine gaps

First aidCut the fabric away to free it. Do not pull. See a vet if the finger swells or cannot move

B virus infection

RouteMonkey bites, scratches, saliva (mainly macaques)

PreventionIf bitten, rinse under running water for 15+ minutes and seek medical care immediately. Do not handle bare-handed

Tuberculosis

RouteCoughing, droplets, close contact

PreventionCoughing or weight loss means an immediate vet visit. Keepers should have an annual health checkup

Salmonellosis

RouteFeces, dirty hands, cage equipment

PreventionAlways wash hands with soap after care. Do not wash equipment in the kitchen

Loris bite venom

RouteBite (elbow gland secretion mixed with saliva)

PreventionAnaphylaxis has been reported. If bitten, seek medical care immediately and watch for swelling

Food

• Staple diet: acacia gum (tree gum), insects and a species-specific pellet
• Feed twice, in the evening and late at night, after dark
• Fruit only a few times a week in small amounts. Watch for excess sugar

Water

• Provide both a water bottle and a dish; change daily
• A change in water intake is a sign of illness. Check visually

Toys & play

• Foraging puzzles: drilled branches stuffed with gum or insects
• Branches and ropes of varying thickness arranged vertically and horizontally
• Hidden-food foraging offered only at night

Nest, bed & hideout

• A dark wooden nest box fixed high up
• A cloth cover that makes the cage fully dark by day

Bedding & litter

• Thick pet sheets or hardwood chips on the floor
• Place the toilet in a fixed corner and clean daily
• Do not use softwood chips, sand or cat litter

Cage / housing material

Tall wire cage (fine metal mesh)

Size & space

At least 150 cm high and 90 cm wide. Prioritize vertical routes

Layout

• Nest box at the top; branches fixed in a network at mid-level
• Food and water stations on branches. Lorises do not eat on the floor
• Thick bedding and soft material on the floor in case of falls

Placement notes

• A dark, quiet room by day. Avoid TVs and windows
• Use a red light for night observation. Keep white lights off

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• No walks needed. Exercise comes from branches in the cage at night
• If let out in the room, do it at night with lights dimmed and escape routes blocked
• Lack of exercise leads straight to obesity. Rearrange the branches

Temperature & humidity

Temperature24–28°C. Below 20°C is dangerous

Humidity50–70%

Summer & winter

• Summer: keep below 28°C with air conditioning. Avoid direct sunlight
• Winter: keep at 24°C or above around the clock with a panel heater

Nail trimming

Worn down naturally on branches. If overgrown and catching, have a vet trim them. Never cut the grooming claw on the second toe

Brushing, skin & coat care

Not needed; the loris grooms itself. A messy coat or hair loss signals skin disease or a venom-gland problem

Other care

Dental health is the top priority. Let hard insects and gum clean the teeth naturally; have an oral exam once a year

Protection from predators

• Never keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets
• Close windows and screens during nighttime free-roaming and control mosquitoes
• Never take outdoors where crows or birds of prey may come

Foreign-body ingestion

Swallows bedding, cloth threads and small toy fragments. Leave no loose threads in the cage. See a vet for vomiting or loss of appetite

Being stepped on

Walks around the floor during nighttime free-roaming. Watch your feet in the dark room and return it to the cage when visitors come

Getting pinched

Fingers are easily caught in door gaps. Fix doors in place during free-roaming. Check its position when opening or closing the cage door

Falls

Slow-moving but can fall from heights. Thick cushioning under any branch 1 m or higher. If it does not move after a fall, see a vet immediately

Escape

Escapes quietly at night. Padlock the cage. If it escapes, search dark high places, darken the room and lure with food

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and calm. Get a thick towel with your free hand
2. Cover its face with the towel to darken it; it releases more easily
3. Once released, return the animal to the cage and secure it
4. Rinse the wound under running water for 15+ minutes and watch for swelling

After the release

Anaphylaxis from the venom has been reported. Shortness of breath, a full-body rash or severe swelling: call emergency services

What to tell the vet & what to bring

CITES registration certificate, weight history, diet, stool photos, how the bite happened. Confirm in advance which hospital sees primates

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• Call its name and check for a response. Normal body temperature is 36–38°C
• Count breaths by chest movement. About 20–40 per minute
• Place a hand on the chest to check the heartbeat. 100–200 per minute at rest

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 5+ minutes. Do not lift it to check
• For tail or limbs, press gently on the side nearer the heart
• If bleeding does not stop or is heavy, see a vet immediately

Transport

• Line a darkened small box with a towel; wrap any hand warmer in cloth
• Keep it still and quiet. Keep the car interior at 24°C or above