International Gibbon Day

1. Gibbons are a type of primate, called an ape. They are not a great ape like humans, gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos, but often described as a lesser or small ape.

2. There are thought to be 20 species of gibbons. Most gibbons are about 40 to 65 centimetres tall. However the biggest gibbon, called the Siamang Gibbon, can grow up to 90 centimetres. 

3. Gibbons can be different colours, such as white, cream, grey, brown and black. Their arms are longer than their legs, perfect for swinging through trees! Gibbons, unlike monkeys, don’t have tails.

4. All species are either endangered or critically endangered. It isn’t actually known how many are left in the wild. However, the most endangered species, called the Hainon gibbon, are thought to only have 30 left living in the wild. 

5. Gibbons live in rainforests in Asia, in countries such as China, India and Thailand.

6. Gibbons like to live in the tree tops and find it very easy to move around in the branches using their long arms. They can move from branch to branch so well and so quickly it almost looks like they are flying.

7. Gibbons very rarely go down to the ground. If they do they walk upright and on two legs!

8. Gibbons live in small family type groups and will warn other gibbons to stay away from them and are very protective over the area of the forest they call home.

9. Gibbons are omnivores but mainly eat fruit. They also eat flowers, leaves, insects and bird eggs.

10. A species of gibbon discovered only in 2017 is called the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon, named after Luke Skywalker in Star Wars.