loris

lo·ris | \ ˈlȯr-əs

How to pronounce loris (audio)

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Definition of loris

: any of several nocturnal slow-moving tailless arboreal primates (family Lorisidae): such as

a : a slim-bodied primate (Loris tardigradus) of southern India and Sri Lanka

b : either of two larger related primates (Nycticebus pygmaeus or N. coucang) of southeastern Asia that are heavier limbed and slower moving

Examples of loris in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Stranger still is the venom system of the slow loris (genus Nycticebus), a nocturnal primate from Southeast Asia. — National Geographic, "What’s the difference between a poisonous and venomous animal?," 7 Jan. 2020 Slow lorises secrete venom — unique among primates — so their sharp teeth are often extracted to make interaction safe. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Neglectful Sanctuaries and Poached Animals: New Report Reveals the Dark Side of Wildlife Tourism," 7 June 2019 Veterinary surgeon Karl Maritato recently removed a cancerous spleen from a pygmy slow loris. — Anne Saker, Cincinnati.com, "Caturday news: Cincinnati Zoo tiger Chira has seizures, so she gets an MRI," 12 July 2019 For smaller animals, though, like slow lorises, macaques, sloths and tropical birds, poaching in service of tourism does remain a threat. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Neglectful Sanctuaries and Poached Animals: New Report Reveals the Dark Side of Wildlife Tourism," 7 June 2019 Sloths or other small mammals like slow lorises may be poached from the wild for use in tourist attractions. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, "Neglectful Sanctuaries and Poached Animals: New Report Reveals the Dark Side of Wildlife Tourism," 7 June 2019 There are a few other venomous mammals, mostly shrews, but there’s only one venomous primate: Southeast Asia’s slow loris. — Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, "20 Things You Didn't Know About ... Poison," 25 Sep. 2018 The slow loris, a really adorable primate in Asia, is a great example. — Diane Daniel, BostonGlobe.com, "How tourists can help prevent wildlife trafficking and poaching," 20 Mar. 2018 According to THV11 News, the 3-year-old mama is a pygmy slow loris, as is her 7-year-old mate, Frasier. — Saryn Chorney, PEOPLE.com, "Twinning — and Winning the Internet! Pygmy Slow Loris Mom Gives Birth to Teeny Twin Babies at Little Rock Zoo," 13 Sep. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'loris.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

19 Jan 2020

Cite this Entry

“Loris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/loris. Accessed 22 Feb. 2020.

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