Animal Gallery
White-handed Gibbon |
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Like Gorillas and Chimpanzees, White-handed Gibbons are members of the ape family and they take their name from the colour of their furless palms. In the wild they live in small, peaceful family troops of parents and their offspring. Their natural habitat is monsoon and tropical rainforests.
Gibbons travel through the trees by swinging from branch to branch. They have extremely dense fur that protects them from rain and the hot tropical heat. Both male and females are very territorial and mark their range by calling a duet to each other. The female Gibbon has a high pitched swooping call that rises to a crescendo. The male's call is a lower pitched quivering sound. White-handed Gibbons are endangered, the loss of their habitat due to the lumber industry and agriculture are two of the primary reasons. |
Did you know?
Gibbons can swing from branch to branch at distances of up to 15 m (50 ft). At the Zoo -
At the Valley Zoo we have three White-handed Gibbons, Chan and Julia, and their daughter Penelope. You can learn more about Penelope here. |
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