Skywalker hoolock gibbon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Skywalker hoolock gibbon |
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|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Hoolock
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| Species: |
tianxing
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| Myanmar and surroundings in southern Asia | |
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon (Hoolock tianxing) is a type of gibbon. It is also called the Gaoligong hoolock gibbon. This amazing animal is a primate that lives in trees. It belongs to the gibbon family, called Hylobatidae.
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon is one of three kinds of hoolock gibbon. Scientists first described it in January 2017. They wrote about it in a science magazine called the American Journal of Primatology.
This gibbon is one of two types of Eastern hoolocks. The other one is H. leuconedys. Scientists think H. tianxing became a separate species about 490,000 years ago.
Sadly, the Eastern hoolock gibbon is considered vulnerable. This means its numbers are going down. There are only about 310,000 to 370,000 Eastern hoolocks left. The Skywalker hoolock gibbon makes up less than 150 of these. This makes the Skywalker hoolock gibbon an endangered species.
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What's in a Name?
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon got its name from Luke Skywalker. He is a famous character from the Star Wars movies. The scientists who found this gibbon were big fans of the films!
The scientific name tianxing comes from the Chinese words. Tiān means "heaven" and xíng means "movement". This name describes how gibbons move. They swing through trees using their long arms. This way of moving is called brachiation. The name also comes from an old Chinese book called the I Ching.
How They Look
Skywalker hoolock gibbons look a bit different from other hoolock gibbons. For example, they have special white eyebrows. These eyebrows are thinner than those of H. leuconedys gibbons. Their eyebrows are also spaced further apart.
They have large beards that are either all black or brown. Other gibbons, like H. leuconedys, have white beards. Skywalker hoolock gibbons also do not have white hair under their eyes.
Male and female Skywalker hoolock gibbons look different. This is called sexual dimorphism. Adult males have dark brown fur on their bellies. Their back fur has a brownish color over it. Adult females have yellow-white or reddish-blonde fur on their bellies. Females also have white rings around their faces. These rings are not complete. They have less hair on the sides of their faces and under their eyes. Young gibbons of this species do not have white fur on their chin or under their eyes.
Where They Live
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon lives in mountain forests. You can find them in eastern Myanmar and southwestern China. They live in the Mt. Gaoligong area. This area is between the Salween River and the Nmai River.
Hoolock gibbons were first seen in this region in 1917. This is the furthest east any hoolock species has been found. Most Skywalker hoolock gibbons live in forests that are not protected. They live in small forest patches. These areas often have very rough land.
Scientists have found 11 single gibbons and 32 groups in the wild. But as mentioned, there are fewer than 150 of these gibbons in total.
Their Daily Life
Skywalker hoolock gibbons sleep in tall trees. They choose thin branches near the top of the tree. They pick their sleeping trees for several reasons. These include finding food, protecting their area, staying warm, and being comfortable. They also choose trees to stay safe from predators.
They go to their sleeping trees before the sun sets. This helps them avoid animals that hunt at night. Once they pick a tree, they move quickly and quietly. They usually do not sleep in the same tree two nights in a row.
During the cold season in Yunnan province (November to March), they change their habits. They choose sleeping trees closer to food trees. They also pick trees at lower elevations where it is warmer. They sleep longer and huddle together to stay warm.
Gibbons are famous for their loud songs. Each species has its own special song. Skywalker hoolock gibbons usually sing from their sleeping trees. They sing right after the sun comes up. Their songs last about 22.5 minutes on average.
What They Eat
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon eats from 36 different kinds of plants. They love to eat the fruit from these plants the most. After fruit, they prefer leaves. They eat stems and flowers last.
Female Skywalker hoolock gibbons tend to eat more than males. This is especially true during spring and autumn.
Threats to Their Survival
The Skywalker hoolock gibbon is an endangered species. There are fewer than 150 of them left in the wild. Their population is split up into different forest areas. This makes it harder for them to find mates and grow their numbers.
They face many dangers. People sometimes hunt them illegally. They are also traded illegally. Their habitat is being destroyed. This happens because forests are cut down to grow cardamom plants.
In China, 22 hoolock gibbons live in zoos or special centers. But only two of these are Skywalker hoolock gibbons. Both of these are males. This means they cannot have babies in captivity right now.
