The Mysterious Red Slender Loris: A Hidden Treasure of Sri Lanka’s Rainforests – By Nadeeka Deep within the dense rainforests of Sri Lanka, an elusive creature lurks in the shadows of towering trees. With its large, luminous eyes, reddish-brown fur, and stealthy nocturnal movements, the Red Slender Loris (Loris tardigradus) remains one of the most fascinating yet least understood primates in the world. Despite its small size and gentle nature, this endangered species faces a significant battle for survival due to deforestation, illegal pet trade, and human encroachment. A Unique Nocturnal Primate The Red Slender Loris is one of the smallest primates in the world, measuring only 10 to 15 inches in length and weighing less than 300 grams. Unlike its cousin, the Grey Slender Loris, this rare species has a distinct reddish-brown coat, which helps it camouflage perfectly in the dense foliage of Sri Lanka’s rainforests. One of its ...

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The Toque Macaque: Sri Lanka’s Endangered Primate – By Bhanuka – eLanka The Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica) is a unique and highly social primate species endemic to Sri Lanka. Known for its distinctive toque-like hair pattern, this monkey plays an important ecological role in Sri Lanka’s forests and has significant cultural importance. However, due to habitat destruction and other human-induced factors, the Toque Macaque is currently listed as endangered in the Red Data Book of Sri Lanka. This article explores the key characteristics, behavior, habitat, and threats faced by this fascinating species. Key Characteristics of the Toque Macaque The Toque Macaque is a medium-sized primate, typically weighing between 4 to 8 kilograms. Its most striking feature is the crown of hair on its head, which resembles a cap or “toque,” giving the species its name. The Toque Macaque comes in three subspecies, each with slightly varying physical characteristics and regional ...

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