CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Metroparks Zoo announced Wednesday night it has welcomed a baby pygmy slow loris to its family.

What You Need To Know

  • The pygmy slow loris is the only known venomous primate

  • They are also endangered

  • The zoo said guests can see the baby at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building

The pygmy slow loris is the only known venomous primate, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. They have modified sweat glands near their elbows that secrete a toxin, and when alarmed, they lick the glands so the toxic sticks to their teeth. The toxin has the strength to incapacitate those as large as humans, according to the Smithsonian National Zoo. 

Pygmy slow lorises are smaller than the average squirrel and have a lifespan of 10 to 20 years.

The nocturnal species is also endangered, which is why the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo it's a special birth. The zoo said it's trying to maintain sustainability of the species. 

The zoo said guests can see the baby at the Primate, Cat & Aquatics building. The gender and name of the baby hasn't been announced. 

The pygmy slow loris is among the latest additions to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. It recently welcomed a baby lowland gorilla and a baby bison. 

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