Gibbon is a small ape. Its closest relatives are gorilla, chimpanzee, orangutan and bonobo. There are 15 species of gibbons that can be found in Southeast Asia (China, India, Burma, Malayan peninsula, Borneo…). Gibbon lives in dense jungles and tropical rainforests.

Gibbon facts

• Gibbons spend almost all of their time in the treetops of the rainforest. They even sleep there, resting in the forks of branches.
• Their dramatic form of locomotion, called brachiating, can move gibbons through the jungle at up to 35 miles (56 kilometers) an hour, bridging gaps as wide as 50 feet (15 metres) with a single swinging leap.
• Because they are not able to swim, different types of gibbons are isolated in different areas by large rivers.
• When gibbons walk, whether along branches or in the rare instances when they descend to the ground, they often do so on two feet, throwing their arms above their head for balance.
• They are the most bipedal of all non-human primates and are often studied for clues to what evolutionary pressures may have led to human walking.
• There are 15 recognized species of gibbons ranging from northeastern India to southern China to Borneo. Let’s discover some interesting science facts that will amaze you.
• Gibbons are omnivores (they eat both plants and animals). Their diet consists mainly of fruit, but they also eat different types of seed, shoots, flowers and insects.
• Gibbons live in family groups composed of breeding couple and their offspring. Gibbons are monogamous (one couple mate for life) and they form very strong bonds with family members. Grooming plays important role in their social life.
• Gibbons are territorial animals that usually live on a territory of 25 to 40 hectares. They fiercely defend their home.
• Gibbons are highly intelligent animals. They can recognize themselves in the mirror. Also, they are able to communicate via various songs. Songs usually last 10 to 30 minutes and both males and females perform them. Main purpose of the song is to announce presence of the group on a certain territory.