Silvery gibbon

Silvery gibbon
A silvery gibbon foraging in a Ficus tree. Photograph taken in Mount Halimun Salak National Park
CITES Appendix I (CITES)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Suborder: Haplorhini
Infraorder: Simiiformes
Family: Hylobatidae
Genus: Hylobates
Species:
H. moloch[1]
Binomial name
Hylobates moloch[1]
(Audebert, 1798)
Silvery gibbon range
skeleton

The silvery gibbon (Hylobates moloch), also known as the Javan gibbon, is a primate in the gibbon family Hylobatidae. It is endemic to the Indonesian island of Java, where it inhabits undisturbed rainforests up to an altitude of 2,450 m (8,040 ft). It has been listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2008, as the wild population is estimated to comprise less than 2500 mature individuals.[2]

Its coat is bluish-grey, with a dark grey or black cap. Like all gibbons, the silvery gibbon lacks an external tail, has dorsally placed scapulae, and reduced flexibility in its lumbar region. It has long, curved fingers and very long forelimbs relative to its hind limbs. On average, it reaches 8 kg (18 lb) in weight. It is diurnal and arboreal, climbing trees skilfully and brachiating through the forests. Brachiation is possible because of its mobile wrist joints, full rotation of the upper arm, and the ability to lock elbows in suspension. Its diet consists of fruits, leaves, and flowers.

Every three years, on average, the female gives birth to a single young, after a gestation of seven months. The offspring is nursed for about 18 months and lives with the family group until it is fully mature at about eight to ten years old.[3]

  1. ^ Groves, C. P. (2005). "Species Hylobates moloch". In Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 180. ISBN 0-801-88221-4. OCLC 62265494.
  2. ^ a b c Nijman, V. (2020). "Hylobates moloch". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020: e.T10550A17966495. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10550A17966495.en. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
  3. ^ Kappeler, M. (1981). The Javan silvery gibbon (Hylobates lar moloch), habitat, distribution, numbers (Ph.D.). Basel: University of Basel.