Is it true that the Slow Loris has a gland in its armpit that leaks an oil, and licking it mixes that oil with saliva to make a real venom?

Yes — the Slow Loris has a gland in its armpit that leaks an oil, and licking it mixes that oil with saliva to make a real venom.

Is it true that the Slow Loris can deliver a bite that causes severe pain and wounds that rot and refuse to heal?

Yes — the Slow Loris can deliver a bite that causes severe pain and wounds that rot and refuse to heal.

Is it true that the Slow Loris licks the venom onto its babies to keep predators away while it goes off to hunt?

Yes — the Slow Loris licks the venom onto its babies to keep predators away while it goes off to hunt.

The cute primate that licks its armpit to make venom

Q: Is it true that the Slow Loris is one of the only venomous mammals on Earth, and a huge-eyed nocturnal primate from Southeast Asia?

Yes — the Slow Loris is one of the only venomous mammals on Earth, and a huge-eyed nocturnal primate from Southeast Asia.

Q: Is it true that the Slow Loris raises both arms above its head when threatened, which looks like surrender but is really a reach for its armpit?

Yes — the Slow Loris raises both arms above its head when threatened, which looks like surrender but is really a reach for its armpit.

The short version

The slow loris raises its arms in what looks like surrender, but is actually reaching for a gland in its armpit. Licking that oil mixes it with saliva to create a venom that can cause rotting wounds and even fatal anaphylactic shock, and mothers paint it onto their babies for protection.

Why it's so weird

✓The Slow Loris is one of the only mammals on Earth, and a huge-eyed primate from Southeast Asia.
✓The Slow Loris raises both arms above its head when threatened, which looks like surrender but is really a reach for its armpit.
✓The Slow Loris has a gland in its armpit that leaks an oil, and licking it mixes that oil with saliva to make a real .
✓The Slow Loris can deliver a bite that causes severe pain and wounds that rot and refuse to heal.
✓The Slow Loris licks the onto its babies to keep away while it goes off to hunt.

📏 How big is it, really?

Slow Loris

30 cm

a 7-year-old

1.2 m

🧒

You could line up about 4 of them along a 7-year-old!

The full story

This adorable primate is also one of the only venomous mammals on Earth. Meet the slow loris, a huge-eyed nocturnal primate from the forests of Southeast Asia. When it feels threatened, it raises both arms above its head, which looks like a surrender, but it is actually reaching for a gland tucked in its armpit. That gland leaks an oil, and when the loris licks it, the oil mixes with its saliva and becomes a genuine venom. Its bite can cause severe pain, wounds that rot and refuse to heal, and in people even fatal anaphylactic shock. Mothers will also lick the venom onto their babies to keep predators away while they go off to hunt. Follow for more weird animal facts.

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