Agile_gibbon

Agile gibbon

Agile gibbon

Species of ape

This article is about the agile gibbon endemic to Sumatra and the Malaysian peninsula. For the Bornean agile gibbon, see Bornean white-bearded gibbon.

The agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis), also called the black-handed gibbon, is an Old World primate, and is a part of the gibbon family. It is native to Indonesia, specifically, on the island of Sumatra. The agile gibbon can also be found in Malaysia, and southern Thailand. As appointed by the IUCN Red List, this species is endangered, and mainly due to the destruction of their habitat and pet trade.[4]

Quick Facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Hylobates agilis singing
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Taxonomy

The species is generally thought not to have subspecies, but some experts recognise a mountain form and a lowland form.[2]

  • Mountain agile gibbon, Hylobates agilis agilis
  • Lowland agile gibbon, Hylobates agilis unko

Description

The agile gibbon has fur varying in color from black to red-brown. The brow is white, and the male can be recognized by his white or light-grey cheeks. Additionally, the male is slightly larger than the female. The agile gibbon weighs from 4 to 6 kg (8.8 to 13.2 lb) with an average of 5 kg (11 lb), though in captivity it can reach 8 kg (18 lb).[5][6] It has a head and body length of 44–63.5 cm (17.3–25.0 in).[6] Like all gibbons, it is tailless.

Behaviour

With its long arms they swing on branches, brachiating at a fast pace. Like all gibbons, it lives in monogamous pairs in a strictly enforced territory, which is defended with vigorous visual displays and songs.[5] The diet of the agile gibbon is generally frugivorous but have also been observed eating leaves, flowers, and insects.[5]

Females give birth to a single offspring after seven months' gestation. The young gibbon is weaned at barely 2 years of age. When fully mature, at about 8 years, it leaves its family group in order to look for a mate.[5]

Distribution and habitat

The agile gibbon is found on Sumatra southeast of Lake Toba and the Singkil River, in a small area on the Malay Peninsula, and south Thailand near the Malaysian border.[2] It predominantly lives arboreally in rain forests and rarely comes to the ground.

References

  1. [1]
    Groves, C. P. (2005). "Species Hylobates agilis". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 179. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. [2]
    Geissmann, T.; Nijman, V.; Boonratana, R.; Brockelman, W.; Roos, C.; Nowak, M.G. (2020). "Hylobates agilis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T10543A17967655. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10543A17967655.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  3. [3]
    "Appendices | CITES". cites.org. Retrieved 2022-01-14.
  4. [4]
    Parks, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4 0 International Thai National. "Hylobates agilis, Agile gibbon". Thai National Parks. Retrieved 2024-02-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. [5]
    Kuester, J. (2000). "Hylobates agilis". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
  6. [6]
    "Fact sheet: agile gibbon" (PDF). EAZA Ape Campaign. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 6 January 2012.
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