Most of the primate species we will be covering in class are highly endangered. For many of these primates, their endangered status is due to anthropogenic habitat destruction, hunting, or war. However, for some species, an illegal exotic pet trade is contributing to the rapid population decline of these species. According to the article, Cuteness Curse: Slow Loris YouTube Videos Fuels Illegal Animal Trade, some primate species are becoming extinct simply because they are cute!
Slow lorises, a prosimian species that is widely found throughout Africa and Asia, have become a hot commodity in the Asian black market after an explosion of YouTube videos featured these wild, wide-eyed creatures. Though these animals have an adorable, cartoon-like exterior, they are the only mammal species that has a venomous bite. Despite their wild nature, the illegal trade of these animals is the number one threat to their survival as a species. The video below has more information about this species and the illegal trade that is threatening their survival.
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