White-cheeked Gibbon
Scientific Name
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Order
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More Information
Physical Description
White-cheeked gibbons were named after the white patch of fur surrounding their mouth and chin. Like other gibbons, they are known as small apes due to their relatively diminuitive body size compared to great apes, such as western lowland gorillas or even humans. They can reach up to 25 inches in height and weigh approximately 12 pounds. They have extremely long arms and legs that are adapted to moving through trees but, like all apes, white-cheeked gibbons do not have tails.
Interesting Fact 1
These tree-dwellers use a highly specialized mode of locomotion called brachiation—instead of grasping at branches with their fingers, their hands form a loose hook around branches, enabling them to swing through the trees using a hand-over-hand motion.
Interesting Fact 2
At dawn, pairs defend their territory with loud ritualized duets that last around 10 minutes.
Interesting Fact 3
All white-cheeked gibbons are born with blonde fur that starts to turn black within the first year of life. When they reach adulthood, however, males remain black while females change back to blonde.
Species Survival Plan®
We cooperate with other members of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to manage the zoo population of this species through a Species Survival Plan®.
Commitment to Care
Lincoln Park Zoo prioritizes individual well-being over everything else. Guided by scientific research, staff and volunteers work to provide the best welfare outcomes for each individual in the zoo’s care.
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Wish List
The Wish List is full of one-of-a-kind items for the zoo’s animals, including nutritious snacks and enrichment items to keep them active and healthy.
Take Action With Us
Wildlife face many daunting challenges—some global, like planet-wide climate change, and some that affect individuals, like an animal ingesting plastic—but now is not the time to despair. None of these problems are too big for us to come together and solve.
