Nycticebus kayan

Nycticebus kayan

Nycticebus kayan is a wet nose primacy of the genus slow lorises, which is widespread on the island of Borneo. N. kayan was not identified until the end of 2012 as a separate species. He has the very unusual for mammals property of having a poisonous bite.

Description

N. kayan has a dark high-contrast face mask with black rings around the eyes. The specimens examined were about 27 cm tall and weighed about 410 g Like other slow lorises N. kayan has a rudimentary tail, a round head, short ears, a comb and a curved plaster claw, which is used for body care. N. kayan is nocturnal and lives in small groups on trees. Similar to the water shrew, or Solenodon N. kayan has a poisonous bite and is one of the rare representatives of poisonous mammals. The poison is absorbed by licking a gland on the arm and then mixed with the saliva. The toxin may fend off enemies and is rubbed into the fur when grooming of pups. When Loris are attacked, they lick their Armdrüsen and so bring their enemies poisoned wounds. You are probably even immune to their own poison.

Taxonomy and distribution

N. kayan 2012 has been described as an independent species, which occurs sympatrically with another Plumploriart ( N. menagensis ) in the central and northern Borneo ( Sarawak, Sabah and parts of Kalimantan ). The species was named after the Kayan, a river flowing through the circulation area.