Fun Agile Gibbon Facts For Kids

One of the most endangered primates in all of South Asia, the agile gibbon is very close to being extinct.

With only 30 individuals left in the wild, the world is dangerously close to losing another wonderful species to extinction. But what do we know about this lesser ape?

The first thing we know about them is that they have sharp teeth, and are not afraid to use them!

Fiercely territorial, these primates will not hesitate to attack anyone who encroaches on their area.

At the same time, they travel in a group called a troop, and are sociable inside of their particular group, with many a female looking after a baby that is not theirs or offering to help others in the group.

If you want to know more about the parks they are concentrated in, about this species of wildlife as a group, the call they make for various purposes, as well as about the mating rituals of the male and the female, then do read on!

There are various other interesting species of animals for you to look at like the bush baby and vervet monkey.

Agile Gibbon Interesting Facts

What type of animal is an agile gibbon?

The agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) is a type of lesser ape.

What class of animal does an agile gibbon belong to?

The agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) belong to the class of mammals.

How many agile gibbons are there in the world?

With only approximately 30 remaining, the agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) resides in Malaysia and is the most endangered mammal in Malaysia.

Where does an agile gibbon live?

Hylobates agilis can be found in tropical rainforests of Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.

What is an agile gibbon's habitat?

Agile gibbons are rarely seen on the ground and are usually living in the woods. They eat leaves and insects or leaves and reside in the forest's top canopy. Hylobates spend most of their life in the trees and only come down to the ground on rare occasions.

Who do agile gibbons live with?

Monogamous species agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) are sociable creatures. However, agile gibbon animals of Thailand are fiercely territorial and defend their territory with a flurry of visual and verbal demonstrations. They live in groups. These groups are called troops. Groups of eastern lowland gorillas dwell together.

How long does an agile gibbon live?

The black-handed agile gibbon found in Thailand and Malaysia can survive for 30-35 years in the wild, but their life range is up to 50 years in captivity.

How do they reproduce?

The agile gibbon forms monogamous relationships. These arboreal animals take only one mate at a time. Females in the wild reach sexual maturity around the age of eight, while males mature around ten.

Females have a seven-month gestation period. A lone offspring is born to the female at a time. A mated pair can generate five to six offspring during their reproductive lives.

Until their offspring are around two years old, most female gibbons breastfeed and care for them. Offspring stay with the parents until they attain sexual maturity, which occurs around eight years, at which point they leave the natal group to get a mate for themselves.

In these monogamous species, males also assist with parental care. Males nurture their offspring and assist in defending them.

What is their conservation status?

The agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis) species belong to Malaysia and Thailand and are listed as Endangered due to habitat degradation by the IUCN Red List. Pet trade has also been considered another reason for this.

Agile Gibbon Fun Facts

What do agile gibbons look like?

The fur of the agile gibbon ranges in color. The color range for this part of wildlife is from black to other unique shades like red-brown. Both males and females have white brows.

You can identify the white or light-gray cheeks of the male agile gibbon face. In addition, the male is a little bigger than the female. The agile gibbon weighs between 8.8-13.2 lb (4-6 kg ) with an average of 11 lb (5 kg) while in captivity, 18 lb (8.1 kg).

Agile gibbons are tailless, as are other gibbons. Like other gibbons, Hylobates agilis possesses exceptionally long arms as well as fingers. Brachiation, the primary mode of locomotion for these creatures, is aided by this modification. Brachiation entails hanging from tree to tree while dangling from branches.

How cute are they?

These gibbons from Malaysia are known for their duets, singing call, and long arms, which allow them to swing around the trees quickly and gracefully. They are quite cute and unique to look at in terms of their appearance.

How do they communicate?

This dark-handed gibbon lives in southeast Asia, defending its territory by singing. However, you can hear great calls (singing) through the upper canopy in the morning hours.

These singing contests, which are frequently duets, are a method for species to assert their home territory. Sometimes singing alone is insufficient to keep intruders at bay. Both male and female species will pursue them away.

Tactile communication between a pair and between parents and their children is very vital. Therefore, these animals of Malaysia use facial expressions, movements, and body postures to communicate with their conspecifics.

How big is an agile gibbon?

The length range of agile gibbon species is between 17.3–25 in (44–63.5 cm). The white-cheeked gibbon length range measures up to 18-25 in (45.7-63.5 cm). Both forest species are the same in size.

How fast can an agile gibbon move?

Brachiating, a dramatic form of movement, may propel gibbons across the jungle at speeds of up to 35 mph (56.3 kph), crossing gaps as large as 50 ft (15.2 m) with one swinging leap.

How much does an agile gibbon weigh?

The average weight range of this forest species is  8.8-13.2 lb (4-6 kg). In captivity, the weight of these gibbons who live in family groups is greater than in the wild.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Males and females of this black-handed gibbon that live in the family groups formed by monogamous pairs (those who mate for life) don't have any specific title.

What would you call a baby agile gibbon?

There is no particular name for young, agile gibbon belonging to the Hylobatidae family.

What do they eat?

This forest species (Hylobates agilis) eats a lot of fruits as part of its diet. These creatures, like other gibbons, are largely frugivorous. Other items that agile gibbons include in the diet are leaves, insects, and flowers.

Are they poisonous?

These dark-handed gibbon species with long arms, feeding mainly on fruit, and whose distribution range is in Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, are not poisonous.

Would they make a good pet?

They are intrinsically wild creatures that thrive in the wild. Another problem is that because their populations have plummeted to the verge of extinction (due to habitat loss and poaching for the pet trade and meat), it is ideal to see them in the natural habitat, such as wildlife parks, conservation forests, or any zoo that houses such animals.

Did you know...

Gibbons are lesser apes with long arms are the quickest and perhaps most agile non-flying animals that live in trees.

Gibbons are small apes that live in tropical and subtropical forests of Southeast Asia and Indonesia (with the islands of Sumatra and Java). There are about 20 species of gibbons.

The Siamang and agile gibbon, infrequently seen on the ground, are sympatric little apes residing in the threatened woodlands of Indonesia and Sumatra.

Why are they called agile gibbons?

The term 'agile' refers to the ability to move rapidly and readily. Gibbons belong to the Hylobatidae family, which means tree dweller. They earn their name because they swing along branches with their long arms, brachiating quickly.

Why are agile gibbons endangered?

Their environment is quickly dwindling due to excessive deforestation. The greatest risks to gibbon species include habitat degradation due to logging and agricultural needs and an opportunistic acquisition for the pet trade.

Reserve game sanctuaries, wildlife parks, and zoo breeding programs have been established as conservation practices. Unfortunately, these efforts are insufficient, and more intensive conservation measures are necessary to secure the species' future.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these baboon facts for kids and mountain gorilla interesting facts pages.

Indulge in your creativity at home by coloring in one of our free printable Agile gibbon coloring pages.