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More About Gibbons and Siamangs ...
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Gibbons are small apes that are traditionally grouped in the genus Hylobates, and they are further divided into four subgenera based on their diploid chromosome number: Hylobates (44), Bunopithecus (38), Nomascus (52), and Symphalangus (50). They make up the entirety of the family Hylobatidae.
The Gibbons are also called lesser apes, and differ from great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans and humans) in being smaller, generally monogamous, in not making nests, and in certain anatomical details in which they more closely resemble monkeys than the great apes do. They occur in tropical and subtropical rainforests from northeast India to Indonesia and north to southern China. Gibbons are masters of their primary mode of locomotion, brachiation, allowing them to swing from branch to branch distances of up to 50 feet, at speeds as much as 35 mph. Strongly territorial, they defend their boundaries with vigorous visual and vocal displays. The vocal element, which can often be heard for long distances, consists of a duet between the mated pair, the young animals sometimes joining in. This eerie song can make them an easy find for poachers who engage in the illegal wildlife trade and sales of body parts for use in traditional medicine. Most species are threatened or endangered, and the most important reason is degradation or loss of their forest habitat.
The species include the Siamang, the Lar Gibbon or White-Handed Gibbon, and the Hoolock Gibbon. The Siamang, which is the largest, is distinguished by having two digits on each side stuck together, hence the subgenus and species names Synphalangus and syndactylus.
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Source: Wikipedia Read more about Gibbons and Siamangs
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INFO LINKS
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Siamang
Honolulu Zoo
"The Siamang is a gibbon and like the latter, it is an ape, not a monkey". Find out what distinguishes an ape from a monkey. Read More
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White-handed gibbon
BBC Nature: Wildfacts
"This species lives in family groups, with one reproducing male and female, and their offspring". Categorized information Read More
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Black Gibbon
Yunnan Animal Museum
"The cry is quite touching and could be heard miles away. They do this to defend their territory and to warn nearby ape groups". Read More
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Hoolock Gibbon
Yunnan Animal Museum
Brief categorized information. They are found in "Southwest Yunnan". Read More
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White-cheeked Gibbon
Yunnan Animal Museum
This a very endangered species among baboons. Read More
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White-cheeked Gibbon
theBigZoo.com
"The white-cheeked gibbon has extremely long arms and legs. The male is usually black and the female is a lighter color, often with black patches". Categorized information on food, habitat, predators, social structure, etc. Read More
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White-handed Gibbon
theBigZoo.com
"They possess an opposable thumb that is used for climbing or grooming but not for swinging from branch to branch". Information on food,habitat, social structure, birth and offspring, predators, etc. Read More
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Silvery Gibbon
Blue Planet Biomes
Interesting narrative. These are small apes. Read More
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Gibbon
Animals Of The Rainforest
"There are many species of gibbons and most are endangered. The White-cheeked Gibbon and the Hoolock Gibbon are very much in danger, mainly because of loss of habitat". Brief description, taxonomic information, pictures, and links Read More
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White-cheeked Gibbon
National Zoo
White-cheeked Gibbon fact sheet Read More
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Siamang
National Zoo
Siamang fact sheet Read More
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White-Handed Gibbon
Honolulu Zoo
White-Handed Gibbon Read More
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Siamang
BBC Nature: Wildfacts
"Siamangs are the largest of the gibbons. Unlike other gibbons, they have a membrane that joins the second and third toe on each foot". Categorized information and images Read More
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Gibbon Baby's First Day
Honolulu Zoo
Gibbon Baby's First Day Read More
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Siamang Gibbon
Houston Zoo
About Siamang Gibbon Read More
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