Gibbons are the smallest members of the ape family, weighing between 12 to 22 pounds. There are 16 different species, all native to parts of Southeast Asia, southern China, and northern India. Gibbons are the only monogamous apes.

In nature, each gibbon family inhabits and defends its own territory. Young gibbons grow up with their parents but get evicted from their families when they are mature, around five to eight years of age. They move on to form a new pair, in a new territory, with another “evicted” gibbon.

Gibbons have very long arms and move around by arm-swinging (“brachiation”). They are famous for their acrobatics and can move through the trees at up to 35 miles per hour. Most gibbon species sing beautiful songs. Most of our females (who are members of the white-handed species) sing the “great call” while the males duet in the background. It’s a real thrill when all the IPPL gibbons have a “sing-along.”