Editing Red slender loris (section)

==Behavior==
[[File:Loris tardigradus tardigradus 002.jpg|thumb|left|The red slender loris is arboreal.]]
[[Image:Red slender loris skeleton.jpg|thumb|Skeleton of red slender loris.]]
The red slender loris favors lowland [[rainforest]]s (up to {{convert|700|m|ft|abbr=in|disp=or}} in altitude), tropical rainforests and inter-[[monsoon]] forests of the south western wet-zone of Sri Lanka. Masmullah Proposed Forest Reserve harbors one of few remaining red slender loris populations, and is considered a [[biodiversity hotspot]]. The most common plant species eaten was ''[[Humboldtia laurifolia]]'', occurring at 676 trees/ha, with overall density at 1077 trees/ha. ''Humboldtia laurifolia'' is [[Vulnerable species|vulnerable]] and has a mutualistic relationship with [[ant]]s, providing abundant food for lorises.<ref>{{cite journal | author = K. Anne-Isola Nekaris | author2 = Wasantha K. D. D. Liyanage | author3 = Saman N. Gamage |date=July 2005 | journal = Mammalia | volume = 69 | issue = 2 | pages = 201–210 | doi = 10.1515/mamm.2005.017 | title = Influence of forest structure and composition on population density of the red slender loris ''Loris tardigradus tardigradus'' in Masmullah proposed forest reserve, Sri Lanka| s2cid = 21708919 }}</ref> Reports from the 1960s suggest that it once also occurred in the [[coastal]] zone, however it is now thought to be extinct there.

The red slender loris differs from its close relative the gray slender loris in its frequent use of rapid [[arboreal locomotion]]. It forms small social groups, containing adults of both sexes as well as young animals. This species is among the most social of the [[nocturnal]] primates. During daylight hours the animals sleep in groups in branch tangles, or curled up on a branch with their heads between their legs. The groups also undertake mutual grooming and play at wrestling. The adults typically hunt separately during the night. They are primarily [[insectivorous]] but also eat bird [[egg (biology)|eggs]], [[berry|berries]], leaves, [[bud]]s and occasionally [[invertebrate]]s as well as [[gecko]]s and lizards. They forage, and while doing so, ants may stick to the back of their hands.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Kumara|first1=H.N.|last2=Kumar|first2=Shanthala|last3=Singh|first3=Mewa|title=A Novel Foraging Technique Observed in Slender Loris (Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus) Feeding on Red Ants in the Western Ghats, India|url=https://www.karger.com/Article/Abstract/83618|access-date=13 October 2020|journal=Folia Primatologica; International Journal of Primatology|year=2005 |volume=76 |issue=2 |pages=116–118 |doi=10.1159/000083618 |pmid=15775683 |s2cid=46584698 }}</ref> As this occurs, the red slender loris is able to consume these ants. To maximize protein and nutrient uptake they consume every part of their prey, including the scales and bones. They make nests out of leaves or find hollows of trees or a similar secure place to live in.