The Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) is an arboreal, black furred gibbon native to the forests of Malaysia and Sumatra. The largest of the lesser apes, the siamang can be twice the size of other gibbons, reaching 1 m in height, and weighing up to 23 kg. The Siamang is the only species in the genus Symphalangus.

The Siamang is distinctive for two reasons. The first is that two fingers on each hand are fused together (hence the name "syndactylus"). The second is the large "gular sac" (found in the male of the species), which is a throat pouch that can be inflated to the size of its head, allowing the Siamang to make loud resonating calls or songs.

There may be two subspecies of the Siamang. If so, they are the nominate Sumatran Siamang (S. s. syndactylus) and the Malaysian Siamang (S. s. continentis, in peninsular Malaysia). Otherwise, the Malaysian individuals are only a population. The Siamang is the only gibbon which occurs sympatrically with other gibbons; its two ranges are entirely within the combined ranges of the Agile Gibbon and the Lar Gibbon.

The Siamang can live up to 20 years in captivity.

While the illegal pet trade takes a toll on wild populations, the principal threat to Siamang is habitat loss in both Malaysia and Sumatra. Unsustainable palm oil production is clearing large swathes of forest, reducing Siamang habitat, along with other species such as the Sumatran Tiger.

Media

Image:Hylobates syndactylus4.jpg Image:Hylobates syndactylus8.jpg Image:Symphalangus syndactylus.jpg Image:Hylobates syndactylus5.jpg

References