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gibbon
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white-handed gibbon Two northern white-cheeked gibbons (Nomascus leucogenys), one dark-furred male and one lighter-furred female, sit on a tree branch with long arms extended overhead for balance. A scale bar shows their approximate size. A siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) with black fur sits on rocky ground, facing left, with large rocks in the background. white-handed gibbon
A gorilla sits on a tree trunk with a blue arrow pointing to it. Large text reads, "What makes apes so special?" with trees and zoo habitat in the background.
The video thumbnail image shows two black and white photos of monkey and ape heads, surrounded by blue and pink circles.
Two gibbons (genus Hylobates), one light-colored and one dark, sit among tree branches in a lush green forest.
At a Glance
Two gibbons (genus Hylobates), one light-colored and one dark, sit among tree branches in a lush green forest.
gibbon summary
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white-handed gibbon
white-handed gibbon White-handed gibbon (Hylobates lar).

gibbon

primate
Also known as: Hylobatidae
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Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
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gibbon, (family Hylobatidae), any of approximately 20 species of small apes found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. Gibbons, like the great apes (gorillas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and bonobos), have a humanlike build and no tail, but gibbons seem to lack higher cognitive abilities and self-awareness. They also differ from great apes in having longer arms, dense hair, and a throat sac used for amplifying sound. Gibbon voices are loud, are musical in tone, and...

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