Exotic Animals > Siamang Gibbon

Siamang Gibbon

Hylobates syndactylus

INTRODUCED

DISTRIBUTION: Siamang’s are found throughout south-eastern Asia, the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra.

HABITAT: They are arboreal which means ‘to live in trees’ and their preferred habitat is high in the lush greenery of the rainforest canopy.

BREEDING: Siamang adults pair for life. They are sexually mature from 7-9 years of age. One baby is born after a 235 day gestation period. The baby clings to the mother for about 1 year, then parental care transfers to the father.

FOOD: Consists mainly of leaves and soft fruits, but flower buds, small animals and insects are also eaten.

VOICE: A series of barks and booms, these calls are made louder by the air sack under their chin which gets inflated then released to emit the loud traveling call. The call can be heard for around 5km.

GENERAL: Black in colour with reddish-brown eyebrows. The siamang is the largest of the gibbon family. Like other gibbons they have tough pads on the buttocks which are used to enjoy a comfortable nights sleep as they do not build a nest to sleep in. Their arms also brachiate. Siamang gibbons live for around 30 years.


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