Állat

White-handed gibbon

A long-armed inhabitant of Asian forests, travelling above the ground and marking territory with its voice.

A tartalom nyelve

A tárgyról

A gibbon's long arms carry its body from one branch to the next. This movement is called brachiation: the animal alternately hangs from each hand, its long fingers working like hooks. White-handed gibbons inhabit tropical forests in Southeast Asia. Most of their daily activity takes place high in the trees, during daylight.

Hylobates lar can be recognised by its pale hands and feet and the pale ring around its face. The rest of the coat varies greatly, from almost black to cream. A gibbon has no tail. Mobile shoulder joints and long limbs allow it to cross gaps between branches with ease.

It usually lives in a family consisting of an adult pair and their offspring. Loud calls tell neighbouring families that the territory is occupied; they are particularly noticeable in the morning. Fruit dominates the diet, supplemented by leaves, other plant parts and small invertebrates. Forest loss threatens places to feed and travel. At this final stop, its arm-powered movement can be compared with the kangaroo's hops and the seal's swimming.

Gyerekeknek

A gibbon can travel by hanging from its hands and transferring its grip to the next branch. The scientific name for this movement is brachiation. Long fingers act like hooks, and its arms reach far. The white-handed gibbon lives in Southeast Asian forests and is active during the day.

Pale hands, feet and a ring around the face help identify it. The rest of its coat may be dark or light. A gibbon has no tail. It usually lives with a partner and young, and its loud calls tell neighbours that the territory is occupied. These calls are most frequent in the morning. Gibbons mainly eat fruit, but also leaves and small invertebrates. Trees are both their travel routes and places to find food. Losing forest takes away both at once.

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What does brachiation mean in gibbons?

Részletek

Elhelyezkedés: White-handed gibbon enclosure, stop 49 on the map.