Range Description

The species occurs in southern and eastern India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu) and Sri Lanka.

L. l. lydekkerianus
This subspecies occurs in southern and eastern India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu), in the dry shrub jungles of the Eastern Ghats (Schulze and Meier 1995; Nekaris and Jayewardene, 2003; Singh et al. 2000). Singh et al. (1999) recorded this taxon most often in areas up to 1,000 m.

L. l. nordicus
This subspecies occurs in north-central Sri Lanka, in dry-zone areas (A. Nekaris pers. comm.). Recent reports include Mannar, Wilpattu, Anuradhapura, Sigiriya, Polonnaruwa, Mihintale, Ritigale, Minneriya-Giritale, Trincomalee, and Madura Oya. It is uncertain if the range extends to the southeast of the island as no undisputed sighting has yet been made of this subspecies there (Nekaris and de Silva in press).

L. l. grandis
This subspecies is found in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, at an average altitude of 900 m (Schulze and Meier 1995a). Although it has thus far been found only in the East Matale Hills, it is probable that it also occurs throughout the lower foothills of the mountains of central Sri Lanka. The highest altitude from which it has been obtained is 1,036 m. Lorises which may conform to this subspecies have recently been seen at Udawatakele and in the Knuckles Range (Nekaris and de Silva in press).

L. l. malabaricus
This subspecies occurs in India along the west coast and in the wet forests of the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It has not been reported from rainforests south of Palghat gap (A. Kumar and M. Singh pers. comm.). It is found from the coast up to 1,200 m in Karnataka, and lower elevations in Kerala.