white-handed gibbon

Most mammals that live on land use their legs to get around. But the white-handed gibbon relies mostly on its arms. Using its long arms and strong fingers, it swings through trees with grace and speed. In fact, gibbons are so skilled at moving among the branches, they spend most of their lives in trees. They barely ever come down to the ground!

Scientific Name: Hylobates lar
Habitat: evergreen forests in southeast Asia
Diet: mostly fruit; also leaves, flowers, and insects
Size: about 2 feet tall (about 60 cm)
Conservation Status: endangered
Lifespan: up to 50 years
Cool Fact: It can swing through the trees at speeds up to 35 miles (56 km) per hour.
Cool Fact: Hylobates means "dweller in the trees"

Image credits: main image, courtesy of Vassil.

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