 Preliminary results of studies on the pygmy slow loris indicate that its diet consists primarily of gums and nectar ( especially nectar from <unk> dives flowers ) , and that animal prey makes up 30 – 40 % of its diet . However , one 2002 analysis of pygmy slow loris feces indicated that it contained 98 % insect remains and just 2 % plant remains . The pygmy slow loris often returns to the same gum feeding sites and leaves conspicuous gouges on tree trunks when inducing the flow of exudates . Slow lorises have been reported gouging for exudates at heights ranging from 1 m ( 3 ft 3 in ) to as much as 12 m ( 39 ft ) ; the gouging process , whereby the loris repetitively bangs its toothcomb into the hard bark , may be loud enough to be heard up to 10 m ( 33 ft ) away . The marks remaining after gouging can be used by field workers to assess loris presence in an area . Captive pygmy slow lorises also make characteristic gouge marks in wooden substrates , such as branches . It is not known how the sympatric pygmy and Bengal slow lorises partition their feeding niches . The plant gums , obtained typically from species in the family Fabaceae ( peas ) , are high in carbohydrates and lipids , and can serve as a year @-@ around source of food , or an emergency reserve when other preferred food items are scarce . Several anatomical adaptations present in slow lorises may enhance their ability to feed on exudates : a long narrow tongue to make it easier to reach gum stashed in cracks and crevices , a large cecum to help the animal digest complex carbohydrates , and a short duodenum to help quickly pass potentially toxic exudates . Slow lorises can use both hands to eat while hanging upside down from a branch . They spend about 20 % of their nightly activities feeding . 
