Table of Contents
What is special about the hands of a white-cheeked gibbon?
They use a highly specialized mode of locomotion called “brachiation.” Instead of grasping, their hands form a loose hook around branches which makes it possible to swing from tree to tree.
Why do white-cheeked gibbons have long arms?
Like other gibbons, northern white-cheeked gibbons possess exceptionally long arms, which they use to swing through the treetops at high speed. Their arms are so long, the gibbons hold them over their heads for balance when walking bipedally.
What primate has the longest arms?
The F1 drivers of the canopy world; they can swing over distances of 10m or more.
How tall are gibbons in feet?
It is one of the seven dwarf species, and adults are about eight inches tall and weigh 12-13 pounds. The largest gibbon is the siamang, which grows up to three feet tall and weighs up to 26 pounds.
Do gibbons bite?
Physical Risks- The White-Handed Gibbon has very long sharp canines and has the ability to cause serious bite wounds to keepers. They also have extra long strong arms and can grab and scratch keepers in quick movements as they are agile.
Do monkeys have four hands?
For a century, modern science has considered humans as part of the great apes. Quadrumana is Latin for “four-handed ones”, which was a term used for Lemurs, monkeys and apes since their feet are prehensile and similar to hands.
Who has an opposable thumb?
Other animals with opposable thumbs include gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and other variants of apes; certain frogs, koalas, pandas, possums and opossums, and many birds have an opposable digit of some sort. Many dinosaurs had opposable digits as well. Granted, most of these are primates, as are we.
How long are gibbons arms?
On average, a gibbon’s arms are 1.5 times longer than its legs, and siamang gibbons can have arm spans up to 5 feet wide. Primate keeper Carly Hornberger did the math. According to her calculations, if humans had similar proportions, a 5-foot-4-inch woman would have an arm span of about 10 feet, 7 inches!
Which animal has longest hands?
Based on size alone, humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) would easily crush all other competition with their massive flippers, which evolved from the arms of their terrestrial mammalian ancestors and can measure up to 16 feet (4.9 meters) long.
Are gibbons gentle?
The gibbons are also very gentle and will hold your hand – Picture of Monkey Park, Tenerife.
Can I keep a gibbon as a pet?
In California, all gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos, and gibbons are classified as “wildlife” that must be heavily regulated by the state for their own health and welfare as well as public safety. In general, it is illegal to import, possess, or sell apes for use as pets in California.
What is the color of a white cheeked gibbon?
white-cheeked gibbon, white-cheeked crested gibbon, northern white-cheeked gibbon (subspecies), southern white-cheeked gibbon (subspecies) Males are black in color, with white fur on their cheeks, and distinguished crests of hair on top of their heads.
Where do white-cheeked gibbons live?
White-cheeked gibbons live in the rainforests of Laos, southern China and Vietnam. They live and feed in the trees, and almost never come down to the ground. White-cheeked gibbons are built for life in the trees. They’re 18 to 25 inches tall and weigh 15 to 20 pounds. Their arms and legs are very long, and they have short thumbs and long fingers.
What are the social behaviors of a white-cheeked gibbon?
Play behavior centered on an infant is another social activity common among these animals. White-cheeked gibbons are mostly frugivorous. Their favorite food is fruit pulp. They also eat flowers, leaves and insects. White-cheeked gibbons form monogamous pairs and have just one mate throughout their life. They breed at any time of the year.
Why are white-cheeked gibbons endangered?
They are arboreal and spend most of their time in the forest canopy. White-cheeked gibbons are critically endangered, and their numbers have declined by 80 percent or more over the past 45 years, primarily due to habitat loss and poaching.