Agile 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Taxonomy

The species is generally thought not to have subspecies, but some experts recognise a mountain form and a lowland form.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" />

• 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 Template:Convert with an average of Template:Convert, though in captivity it can reach Template:Convert.<ref name="ADW">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="ApeCampaign">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> It has a head and body length of Template:Convert.<ref name="ApeCampaign" /> 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 strict enforced territory, which is defended with vigorous visual displays and songs.<ref name="ADW" /> The diet of the agile gibbon is generally frugivorous but have also been observed eating leaves, flowers, and insects.<ref name="ADW" />

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.<ref name="ADW" />

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.<ref name="iucn status 19 November 2021" /> It predominantly lives arboreally in rain forests and rarely comes to the ground.

External links

• Gibbon Conservation Center
• Template:Usurped at The Primata