Sabah's venomous primate
The Bornean slow loris
Nycticebus borneanus
The Bornean slow loris is a cryptic nocturnal hunter found across Sabah. It is the only venomous primate on earth and a highlight of any night safari.
Species identification
The Bornean slow loris
The Bornean slow loris is the only known venomous primate. A specialised brachial gland located on the inside of its elbow secretes a protein-rich exudate that it mixes with saliva to activate a potent venom.
It has dark contrasting facial features with rounded circumocular patches. It moves with cryptic slowness through the mid-canopy branches to stalk insects and avoid drawing the attention of predators.
Where to look at night
On the Kinabatangan River and in the Deramakot Forest Reserve a sighting is a realistic target. In Danum Valley the Bornean slow loris is resident and a bonus for night walkers on the trails around the Study Centre or the access roads at Borneo Rainforest Lodge.
Viewing etiquette
Watching a slow loris requires strict ethical protocols. Guides mandate a no white light policy, using only red-filtered lights for observation. This prevents permanent damage to their sensitive retinas and avoids leaving them vulnerable to predators.
See it on these
Related
Keep planning
Danum Valley Study Centre
Deep inside the Danum Valley Conservation Area, this working research station offers a stay focused entirely on the 50-kilometre trail network and the rainforest ecology.
Borneo Rainforest Lodge
Situated on the Danum River inside a primary rainforest of a lineage some 130 million years old, this 31-chalet lodge offers high-end comfort and expert wildlife guiding 2.5 hours from Lahad Datu.
Tabin Wildlife Resort
An hour and a half from Lahad Datu, Tabin Wildlife Resort is a collection of 18 timber chalets on the Lipad River. It suits wildlife travellers and photographers seeking productive night drives and small cats.
Kinabatangan River
The Kinabatangan floodplain holds the highest concentration of wildlife in Borneo. This is where you go to track orangutans and proboscis monkeys from a boat.
Bornean Primate Oddities
Borneo’s rainforests occasionally produce striking genetic anomalies. These unusual primates tell a profound story about evolution and habit
Species identification
Enquire directly
Speak to the team to plan guided night walks and vehicle drives to look for the Bornean slow loris in Sabah.