Gibbons are known for a specialized form of swinging locomotion called brachiation. Bending its slender fingers, the hand forms a hook at the end of its long arm. Hooking onto a branch, the gibbon then swings itself forward to the next branch.
Buff-Cheeked Gibbon
Hylobales gabriellae
Fact File
Pronunciation: GIB-un
Where to see them: Gibbon Islands
Height: 1.5 to 2 ft
Weight: Up to 12.5 lbs
Lifespan: Up to 50 years in captivity
Habitat: Tropical forest
Diet: Fruit, leaves, and invertebrates
Risk Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Vulnerable)Video
Color Coded: The male and female gibbon are easy to distinguish; the male is black with white cheek patches and the female is golden.
