The siamang is a gibbon species found in the upper canopies of forest regions of Malaysia and Indonesia. Adults can weigh up to 45 lbs and grow as high as three feet. Males are larger than females. They have black fur with long and somewhat saggy hair, and there is also a large and inflatable throat sac near the side of the head, called a "gular sac," which is used as a resonator for their vocal cords. The siamang's feet are webbed (between the second and third toes), and it has no tail.
Siamangs prefer social groups consisting of one male, one female and their offspring. Most apes prefer to build sleeping nests or platforms to sleep on, but the siamang sleeps upright with its arms folded and head between its knees. Siamangs prefer to be active and feed during the day. Diet consists of fruits, leaves and plants, and small animals and insects. They are very territorial, and the father and young males work together to defend their territory. The female gives birth to only one young after a gestation period of seven to eight months, and all the males in the group take an active part in caring for the young and have even been seen carrying the young in their arms.
Siamang populations have declined due to habitat loss from the clearing of forests for palm oil production. They are also captured and taken from the wild to be sold as pets.
|
Wikipedia Article Copyright Notice: This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Siamang". |
Featured ArticleTwelve Incredibly Odd Endangered Creatures
1. SolenodonThe solenodon is a mammal found primarily in Cuba and Hispanola. The species was thought to be extinct until scientists found a few still alive in 2003. Solenodons only prefer to come out at night. They eat primarily insects and they are one of the few mammal species that are venomous, delivering a very powerful toxin. Symptoms of a solenodon bite are very similar to a snake bite, including swelling and severe pain, lasting several days. Read More... |
Latest Blog Articles
Armed conflict can harm wildlife in ways that are easy to miss at first. In Iran, one of the clearest environmental threats tied to the 2026 conflict is an oil slick moving toward the Hara Biosphere Reserve near the Strait of Hormuz. This protected wetland is an important habitat for marine life, birds, and coastal species, and scientists have warned that oil pollution could damage one of the most sensitive ecosystems in the region.
The Black Sea has become one of the clearest examples of how war can damage wildlife as well as people. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, scientists and conservation groups have warned that explosions, naval activity, pollution, and disrupted monitoring have all added new pressure to marine life in the region. One of the species drawing the most concern is the Black Sea bottlenose dolphin.
We shared the story of a rare white giraffe family years ago. Today, only the male is left. With a GPS tracker now guiding his safety, this unusual and beautiful creature continues his quiet journey across the savannah. |