Slow lorises are venomous primates illegally traded globally as pets after viral videos created false demand, with the pet trade causing tooth clipping, stress, and population depletion across Southeast Asia.
The slow loris pet trade is unusual in that viral media directly drives a market for an endangered, medically compromised animal. The raised arms in 'tickling' videos represent a defensive posture in which lorises access their venom gland - a fear response, not enjoyment. Tooth clipping causes chronic pain, inability to eat natural foods, and wound infections. Captive lorises experience intense chronic stress from daytime handling, bright light exposure, and social isolation. Sharing and commenting positively on slow loris videos directly increases demand and harm to these animals.