The Bengal Slow Loris
$150.00
The Bengal Slow Loris (Nycticebus bengalensis)
This collection was inspired by the watercolor drawings of Thou Channy, Senior Artist at the Giant Puppet Project, to help raise awareness about conservation and the plight of endangered species in Cambodia. 20% of the sales price of each onesie goes directly to Fauna in Focus.
The Bengal slow loris is just one species of about 13 different loris species found throughout SE Asia. Loris are primates, but belong to a different family tree than monkeys and apes. They are more closely related to the lemurs of Madagascar or African bush-babies. Loris secrete a special toxin from a gland on their elbows. It is believed this toxin helps keep ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) away. But if they are threatened they can lick that toxin and bite, injecting a toxin into an unhappy victim. Slow loris are often captured for the illegal pet trade because people think they make cute pets. What most people don’t know is that thousands of loris mothers are killed so that their babies can be sold in the markets, and most of the babies do not survive their capture and transport. If they do they then have to survive a brutal “surgery” in which their teeth are clipped off with wire cutters to prevent their venomous bite. The only other mammal that uses toxins in such a way is the platypus with its venomous spur.
This onesie is made from lightweight, single-sided fleece (180 gsm). One size fits all. Design includes elastic wrists and ankles, center zip, hand warmers with webbed fingers, and a comfy cosy belly that is just begging to be tickled.