White-cheeked gibbon

Nomascus leucogenys

White-cheeked gibbons live in rainforest canopy habitat in Laos, southern China and Vietnam. They are largely frugivorous (fruit-eating) but also eat leaves and small invertebrates.

Gibbon lingo

• Brachiation: to move by swinging with the arms from one hold to another. Gibbons move through the trees canopy by brachiation.

Gibbon behavior and facts

• Gibbons have long arms and short thumbs, both ideal for brachiation.
• Their intelligence has been tested and ranks between monkeys and great apes.
• Gibbons are diurnal (active during the day) and arboreal (living in trees).
• Newborns are blond and juveniles are black. Females are blonde at sexual maturity and males are black with white cheeks.
• They live in family groups, usually consisting of an adult breeding pair, a juvenile offspring and an infant.
• A breeding pair develops a unique "duet" where each one contributes a note to their song. The song is sung in the early morning to strengthen the pair's bond and establish their territory; keeping other gibbons away. Gibbons use a different song when they encounter predators.

From birth to death

• Gibbons are monogamous: they have just one mate throughout their life.
• Females give birth to one infant.
• The young are nursed for 2 years. The male assists with care of the young, and so do older juveniles.
• Females give birth every 2 to 3 years.
• The young leave the group at 8 years old when they reach sexual maturity.
• Lifespan: 25 to 30 years

Vital statistics

• Height: 18 to 25 inches
• Weight: 12 to 20 pounds

Status

• US Endangered
• CITES App I - due to habitat destruction
• SSP
• studbook participant
• TAG

Gibbons, the Oregon Zoo and you

The zoo's white-cheeked gibbons live in the Red Ape Reserve exhibit. The daily diet: monkey chow, fruits and vegetables.

They are critically endangered due to hunting and loss of habitat. Their forest homes have been cleared for farming and firewood.