Quick answer
The white-handed gibbon is an acrobatic ape that brachiates through Southeast Asian rainforests, covering 3 metres per second hand-over-hand. Weighing about 7 kg, living up to 30 years, and reaching 56 km/h in swinging flight, mated pairs defend territory with loud morning duets.
Key takeaway
The white-handed gibbon is an acrobatic ape that brachiates through Southeast Asian rainforests, covering 3 metres per second hand-over-hand. Weighing about 7 kg, living up to 30 years, and reaching 56 km/h in swinging flight, mated pairs defend territory with loud morning duets.
White-handed Gibbon overview
White-handed Gibbon (Hylobates lar) is a mammal listed here as Endangered. Typical weight 5–7 kg (11–15 lb); males and females similar size; lifespan around 25–30 years in the wild.
White-handed Gibbon ecology
Diet: Frugivore — ripe fruit, leaves, flowers, and insects. Habitat: Tropical rainforests of Thailand, Malaysia, and Sumatra. Movement and social systems reflect those pressures across the native range.
White-handed Gibbons and people
Learn before you travel or keep related pets. Wild white-handed gibbons are not toys; captive care needs species-specific husbandry.
Status and further reading
Conservation label in our guides: Endangered. See the full White-handed Gibbon profile for taxonomy, FAQs, and related topic guides on this site.
Conservation and coexistence
Listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, hunting, and climate change threaten many populations. Responsible ecotourism and community conservation help in parts of their range. Never approach or feed wild white-handed gibbons.
Human interest and research
White-handed Gibbons feature in folklore, tourism, and scientific study worldwide. Ongoing research tracks population trends, genetics, and responses to environmental change — data that guides national protection policies.
Sources
White-handed Gibbon FAQs
What are key facts about white-handed gibbons?
The white-handed gibbon is an acrobatic ape that brachiates through Southeast Asian rainforests, covering 3 metres per second hand-over-hand. Weighing about 7 kg, living up to 30 years, and reaching 56 km/h in swinging flight, mated pairs defend territory with loud morning duets.
What is the scientific name of the white-handed gibbon?
Hylobates lar — used in research and conservation listings for white-handed gibbons.
What do white-handed gibbons eat?
White-handed Gibbons eat ripe fruit, leaves, flowers, and insects, with seasonal and regional variation in Tropical rainforests of Thailand, Malaysia, and Sumatra.
Where do white-handed gibbons live?
They are associated with Tropical rainforests of Thailand, Malaysia, and Sumatra. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of white-handed gibbons?
Listed in our guides as Endangered. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.