Habitat: Subtropical Forest
Status: Endangered
DAK Locale: Asia
Of all primates, the gibbon species (or lesser apes) are the only true brachiators. That is, they can swing through the trees at enormous speed by swinging hand over hand through the trees. Their arms are noticeably long, much longer than their legs, which gives them an awkward appearance on the rare instance they walk instead of swing. As apes, gibbons do not have tails. In fact, they are often called a monkey by passing guests but they are incorrect. The gibbon is an ape.
The white cheeked gibbon is sexually dimorphic in that the boys look a lot different than the girls. In the case of this species of a gibbon, males are black with some white fur on the face. Females are tawny or blondish in coloration. The females also have a black tuft on top of their heads. The species is monogamous. Breeding pairs form close bounds and typically spend long periods of time perhaps their entire adult lives together.
Gibbons are also loud. In the thick southern Asian jungle, it is difficult to see but loud calls can echo for miles. The white cheeked gibbons range of vocalizations are some of the most complex amongst primates. Males and females typically have different calls from each other. Many times the mated pairs call together are the most distinctive of the species.
The white-cheeked gibbon is critically endangered. Deforestation and poaching in its native habitat of Vietnam, Laos and southern China have taken a toll on the species. In fact, it is believed the animal is actually extinct in China.
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