When people think of poisonous animals, their minds often jump to snakes, frogs, or insects. But did you know that some mammals are also venomous? One of the most mysterious and controversial poisonous mammals pets is the slow loris.
Despite their big eyes and seemingly gentle nature, slow lorises produce venom that can cause painful bites and allergic reactions. Their increasing presence in the exotic pet trade has sparked debates on legal, ethical, and conservation concerns.
If you’re considering a slow loris as a pet, here’s what you need to know about their venom, legality, care, and risks.
1. Are Slow Lorises Really Poisonous?
Yes! Slow lorises are among the few known venomous mammals. Unlike snakes or spiders, they don’t inject venom through fangs or stingers. Instead, their venom comes from a gland near their elbows.
How Their Venom Works
- Licking their elbow glands activates the toxin, which mixes with their saliva.
- When they bite, the venom enters the wound, causing severe pain, swelling, and allergic reactions.
- In rare cases, the venom can cause anaphylactic shock in humans, making it extremely dangerous.
This unique defense mechanism makes them unsuitable as household pets, despite their cute appearance.
2. Is It Legal to Own a Slow Loris?
The legal status of owning a poisonous mammal like slow loris depends on the country and region. However, in most places, owning a slow loris is illegal due to their status as a protected species.
Legal Status by Region
- United States – Completely illegal to own, as they are protected under the Endangered Species Act.
- Europe – Strict bans across most countries due to wildlife trafficking laws.
- Southeast Asia – Native to this region, but illegal to keep as pets in most countries, including Indonesia and Thailand.
- Japan & Russia – Some loopholes allow ownership, but permits are required.
Many slow lorises in the pet trade are illegally captured from the wild, leading to severe conservation issues.
3. The Dark Reality of the Slow Loris Pet Trade
The demand for slow lorises as exotic pets has fueled a cruel and illegal trade. Here’s why:
- Teeth Clipping – Poachers often remove their teeth to prevent venomous bites, causing infection and extreme suffering.
- High Mortality Rate – Most slow lorises die in captivity due to stress and improper care.
- Social Media Influence – Viral videos showing lorises being “tickled” actually depict a defensive posture of fear.
Keeping a poisonous mammal pet like a slow loris directly supports wildlife trafficking and contributes to their declining wild population.
4. Slow Loris Care: Why They Don’t Make Good Pets
Even if slow lorises were legal, they would still be extremely difficult to care for as poisonous mammals.
Challenges of Keeping a Slow Loris
- Nocturnal Behavior – They are active at night and stressed in bright environments.
- Specialized Diet – In the wild, they consume tree sap, insects, and fruit, which is hard to replicate in captivity.
- Venomous Bites – Their painful and dangerous bites make handling risky.
Most captive slow lorises suffer from malnutrition, stress, and early death, making them one of the worst choices for a pet.
5. Ethical Alternatives: Supporting Conservation
Rather than owning a poisonous mammal pet, consider supporting ethical conservation efforts.
- Visit a Rescue Sanctuary – Many organizations care for rescued slow lorises.
- Adopt a Loris Symbolically – Some charities allow you to sponsor a slow loris to help protect them.
- Educate Others – Spread awareness about the harmful effects of the pet trade.
Slow lorises belong in the wild, not in homes. Ethical conservation efforts help preserve their natural habitat and prevent them from becoming endangered.
Conclusion
Although slow lorises look adorable, they are not suitable as pets. As one of the only poisonous mammals, they pose serious health risks to owners.
Beyond their venom, owning a slow loris supports illegal wildlife trafficking, causing harm to both individual animals and wild populations.
Instead of keeping a slow loris as a pet, consider supporting conservation efforts and learning about these fascinating creatures from ethical sources.
