# Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon (*nomascus leucogenys*) The Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon is a playful primate known for its acrobatic swings through the trees! With its striking white cheeks, this gibbon is not just cute but also sings beautiful songs to communicate with its friends. - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Tropical and subtropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. - **Also known as:** Black-Handed Gibbon, Nomascus Gibbon, Northern Gibbon, White-Cheeked Gibbon ![Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Male_White-Cheeked_Gibbon.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bilby, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Male_White-Cheeked_Gibbon.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon is a slender ape with very long arms. Males are predominantly black with striking white patches on their cheeks. Females, however, have buff-colored fur and a distinct black cap on their head, making them easily distinguishable. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Primates - **Family:** Hylobatidae - **Genus:** Nomascus ## Interesting facts - Each morning, family groups perform a loud, harmonized 'duet' of calls! - Gibbons sleep sitting upright, often on a sturdy branch high in the canopy! - Their long arms are twice the length of their body, perfect for swinging! - They rarely touch the ground, spending nearly their entire lives high in the trees! ## Special abilities - **Arboreal Acrobat:** Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon can swing rapidly through trees because of their incredibly long arms, allowing for swift movement. - **Forest Singer:** Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon has powerful, melodic calls that help them communicate across long distances and defend their territory. - **Canopy Grappler:** Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon has hook-like hands that help them grip branches securely while navigating the highest treetops. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-64 cm - **Weight:** 5-8 kg - **Lifespan:** 25-30 years - **Speed:** 35 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 200-210 days ## Diet & Feeding They mainly munch on ripe fruits, but also enjoy young leaves and the occasional insect. - **Primary Foods:** Ripe Fruits, Young Leaves, Fig leaves, Flower Buds, Small insects - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** Cluster Fig (*Ficus racemosa*) — A primary food source - **Eats:** Indian Chestnut (*Castanopsis indica*) — Eats fruits and leaves - **Eaten by:** [Steppe Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/steppe-eagle) (*Aquila nipalensis*) — May prey on juveniles - **Eaten by:** Clouded Leopard (*Neofelis nebulosa*) — Potential arboreal predator ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Arboreal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/arboreal): Arboreal animals live primarily in trees, utilizing them for shelter, food, and protection from predators. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon? 45-64 cm ### How much does Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon weigh? 5-8 kg ### How long does Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon live? 25-30 years ### How fast can Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon move? 35 km/h ### What does Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon eat? They mainly munch on ripe fruits, but also enjoy young leaves and the occasional insect. ### Where is Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon usually found? Tropical and subtropical rainforests in Southeast Asia. ### How does Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Akron Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/akron-zoo) — Ohio, US · Zoo - [Bronx Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bronx-zoo) — New York, US · Zoo - [Chattanooga Zoo at Warner Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chattanooga-zoo-at-warner-park) — Tennessee, US · Zoo - [Stone Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/stone-zoo) — Massachusetts, US · Zoo - [Nashville Zoo at Grassmere](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/nashville-zoo-at-grassmere) — Tennessee, US · Zoo [View all places to see Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-white-cheeked-gibbon) ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon Facts — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-white-cheeked-gibbon)