Buff-cheeked gibbon
Scientific name: Nomascus gabriellae
IUCN listed as: Endangered
Learn before you visit!
Here are some facts about the species – Discover what they eat, find out about their natural habitat, see what they like to do, and more… Set the reading style to suit you too, everyday speak or something aimed towards children.
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Everyday
Diet
Buff-cheeked gibbons mainly feed on fruits such as figs, berries, and other ripe fruits found in their forest habitats. They also consume leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects to supplement their diet.
Buff-cheeked gibbons love to eat lots of fruits like figs and berries. They also sometimes munch on leaves and flowers. They’re like expert fruit-eating gymnasts swinging through the trees!
Breeding
These gibbons form monogamous pairs and have strong bonds with their mates. Females typically give birth to one offspring every 2 to 3 years. Both parents participate in caring for the young, with the mother carrying and nursing the baby until it becomes more independent.
Gibbons have one baby at a time and both mum and dad take turns looking after it. Mum carries the baby around until it’s big enough to explore on its own.
Habitat
Buff-cheeked gibbons are native to tropical rainforests and evergreen forests in Southeast Asia, particularly in countries like Laos and Vietnam. They prefer dense, tall trees where they spend most of their time swinging and moving through the forest canopy. Habitat loss due to deforestation is a significant threat to their survival.
Buff-cheeked gibbons live in rainforests in Southeast Asia where there are lots of tall trees for them to swing and move around in. But their homes are getting smaller because people are cutting down trees.
At the zoo
In zoos, Buff-cheeked gibbons are housed in large enclosures designed to mimic their natural forest environment. They are fed a variety of fruits, vegetables, and primate pellets to ensure they receive a balanced diet. Zookeepers provide enrichment activities such as ropes, swings, and puzzles to stimulate their natural behaviours.
In zoos, Buff-cheeked gibbons live in big spaces with trees and ropes to swing on, just like their home in the wild. They eat fruits, veggies, and special food to keep them strong and healthy. Zookeepers give them toys and puzzles to play with to keep them happy.
Behaviour
These gibbons are known for their agile movements and acrobatic skills in the trees. They primarily move by brachiation, swinging from branch to branch using their long arms. Buff-cheeked gibbons communicate through loud, melodious calls that can be heard over long distances, helping them maintain social bonds and establish territories.
Gibbons are like acrobat superstars in the forest! They swing from branch to branch using their long arms. They talk to each other with loud calls that sound like beautiful songs to say where they are and make friends.
Fun facts
- Great Swingers: Buff-cheeked gibbons swing through the trees with amazing speed and agility.
- Musical Gibbons: They sing loud songs to talk to other gibbons and mark their territory.
- Love for Fruits: These gibbons really enjoy eating fruits like figs and berries.
- Family Bonds: Gibbons are very close to their families and take care of their babies together.
- Endangered Species: Unfortunately, there aren’t many left in the wild, so they need help to survive.
- Great Swingers: Buff-cheeked gibbons are like forest gymnasts, swinging fast through the trees.
- Musical Gibbons: They sing songs to talk to other gibbons and say where they are.
- Fruit Fans: These gibbons love munching on yummy fruits like figs and berries.
- Family Love: Gibbons stick together as a family and look after their babies together.
- Help Needed: There aren’t many Buff-cheeked gibbons left, so they need people to help them stay safe.
More animals to discover at our zoo
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