Largest of the Gibbon species, Siamang Gibbons have a glossy, black shaggy coat, dark hairless face, long fingers and arms which are longer than legs. A Siamang Gibbon’s arms can span a huge 1.5 metres. Siamangs possess an impressive throat sac, which they use for territorial calling. Territorial calls can last 10-15 min and can be heard over a distance of 1.5-2kms.
Siamang Gibbons are territorial and actively defend their home ranges, with territories overlapping with other primate species. It is the only example in the world where 3 non-human apes coexist.
Omnivorous, consisting of fruits and leaves, Siamang also eat a small amount of insects, bird eggs and small vertebrates.
Siamangs live in small monogamous family groups of up to 8, usually consisting of a dominant breeding pair and their immature offspring. Grooming is one of the most important social activities that cement social bonds.
Habitat loss due to logging, clearing for palm oil plantations and agriculture, poaching and hunting for the illegal pet trade. Also susceptible to zoonotic disease.