Perodicticus – Pottos

One of the most unusual and secretive groups of primates in Africa. Belonging to the family of lorisids, these nocturnal primates are closely related to lorises and angwantibos, but they stand out for their stocky build, slow movements, and stealthy lifestyles. Found in tropical forests across Central and West Africa, pottos are masters of blending into the canopy at night, moving silently from branch to branch in search of food.

In appearance, pottos are medium-sized prosimians, with dense, woolly gray-brown fur, large forward-facing eyes that shine brilliantly at night, and strong hands with opposable thumbs for gripping branches. Unlike agile monkeys that leap noisily through the trees, pottos move deliberately and cautiously, creeping slowly and relying on their incredible grip strength. Their tails are short or barely visible, and their heads are broad with rounded faces that give them a surprisingly gentle look.

But what truly makes pottos unique is their specialized anatomy. Along their neck vertebrae, they have sharp bony protrusions covered by thick skin and fur. These structures, sometimes called “neck spines,” act like natural weapons, and pottos can use them to deliver painful defensive blows to predators or rivals by jabbing with the back of their necks. Combined with their powerful bite, this makes them deceptively well-armed despite their calm demeanor.

Ecologically, pottos are omnivorous foragers. Their diet includes fruits, tree gums, nectar, insects, and even small animals. At night, they use their strong sense of smell and careful movements to locate food, often hanging upside down or stretching across branches to reach fruit or gum pockets. Their slow, stealthy movements also help them avoid predators, since they don’t draw attention like fast-moving animals do.