Yellow-cheeked gibbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yellow-cheeked gibbon |
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| (male left; female right) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Nomascus
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| Species: |
gabriellae
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| Yellow-cheeked gibbon range | |
The yellow-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus gabriellae) is a type of gibbon. It is also known as the golden-cheeked gibbon. These amazing animals live in the forests of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. A British naturalist named Gabrielle Maud Vassal helped discover this species. The gibbon was named after her.
Yellow-cheeked gibbons have interesting color changes as they grow. When they are born, they are blond. This helps them blend in with their mother's fur. Later, they turn black. Male gibbons stay black for their whole lives. They have special golden fur on their cheeks. Female gibbons also turn black, but when they become adults, they turn blond again. They keep a small black cap of fur on top of their heads.
These gibbons are active during the day, which means they are diurnal. They also live mostly in trees, making them arboreal. They live in thick, old tropical forests. They mostly eat fruits. To move through the trees, they use a special way of swinging called brachiation. This means they swing from branch to branch using their long arms.
Scientists do not know much about these gibbons in the wild. But it is thought they can live for about 46 years. Gibbon families sing loudly early in the morning. Their songs might help them protect their home areas. They may also use songs to find food trees or to attract a partner. Mated pairs often sing together. Their songs are special and have parts for both the male and female.
Protecting Yellow-Cheeked Gibbons
Yellow-cheeked gibbons are an endangered animal. This means they are at risk of disappearing forever. Many people and groups are working to protect them.
Where Gibbons Live Safely
The biggest group of these gibbons lives in Cambodia. They are found in a place called the Keo Seima Wildlife Sanctuary. In 2020, about 1,432 gibbons lived there. This number has stayed steady for the last ten years. Many groups are helping to manage this protected area. The Wildlife Conservation Society is one of these groups. There is also a special project where people can visit the gibbons. This helps local communities and protects the animals.
Another large group of gibbons lives in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam. Here, a special center helps these animals. It is called the Dao Tien Endangered Primate Species Centre. This center works with groups from the UK and Taiwan. They rescue gibbons that are in trouble. They also help them get better and then release them back into the wild.
Images for kids
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Male (left) and female (right) yellow-cheeked gibbons
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Map showing where yellow-cheeked gibbons live
