Gibbons are the smallest members of the
ape family and can live for up to fifty years in captivity. They are renowned
for their acrobatic ability and have been known to leap for more than ten metres
between trees when swinging through the canopy at high speeds. Pileated Gibbons
are only found in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. The females are white and the
males black and they are among only 3 percent of mammals which are monogamous.
Phnom Tamao also has one resident female Yellow Cheeked Gibbon who sports a
more golden colored coat of fur. Gibbons can be heard singing in the early mornings.
This is thought to mark their territory but is also utilized to strengthen the
bond between mates. They sing duets with their partners with males and females
singing different parts of the song. All songs are highly individual and can
be used to differentiate between individuals like thumbprints. Solos are only
sung by single female gibbons.
When
traveling on the ground gibbons walk on two legs with their arms spread for
balance. They are the best primate model for human bipedalism. They sleep sitting
up and they drink by immersing their hands in water and then licking the water
off their fur. They like to eat fruit, leaves and insects. In behavioral studies
it has been noted that gibbons can recognize themselves in a mirror which indicates
self-consciousness. This behavior is only recognized in apes and humans.Gibbons
are listed as being Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. They
are highly prized as pets and their gall bladders
are used in traditional medicine.
Unfortunately their beautiful morning songs quite often give away their whereabouts
to poachers. Their act of pointing their backside at someone they want to go
away doesn't work on hunters. They are also rapidly losing their habitat due
to logging and human encroachment.
