Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

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MONKEYS AND APES

354

Gibbon

A gibbon’s muscular arms and hands are

so long that the knuckles touch the

ground even when the gibbon

stands upright. Gibbons live in

family groups of a male, a female,

and two to four young. There are 14

kinds of gibbon; the largest is the siamang,

which weighs about 22 lb (10 kg). The

siamang is so heavy that it cannot swing

out to the tips of thin branches as other

gibbons can.

CommuniC ATion

many monkeys communicate by

sounds. The howler monkey of

South America produces extremely

loud howling noises using its

specialized larynx (voice box).

These sounds warn other howler

troops to stay out of the group’s

territory. The leading male howler

is usually the main shouter and can

be heard nearly 2 miles (3 km) away.

bAboon

The African baboon can climb but usually

walks or gallops on all fours. baboons are

easy to study because they live in open

country, and scientists have learned much

about their social life. baboons live in

troops. Each troop is based around senior

females and their offspring. Growing males

tend to live alone while they are maturing.

When a male becomes an adult he joins

a troop, but has to battle with other males

to establish his rank. The troop protects

itself against predators, such as lions, and

against other baboon troops that stray

into its territory.

ChimpAnzEE

Chimpanzees are the animals

that remind us most of ourselves—

because of their facial expressions and

the way they play games, make tools,

and solve puzzles. Chimpanzees live in

groups that sometimes fight with

neighboring groups. Their main

foods are fruit, leaves, seeds, flowers,

insects, and sometimes larger

creatures such as monkeys and deer.

Chimpanzees live deep in the forests

and open grassland of Africa. pygmy

chimps or bonobos are found only in

the thick forests of the Democratic

Republic of the Congo.

Most monkeys

and apes

depend on

trees for shelter

and food,

particularly in

the rain forests.

Gibbons feed

mainly on fruit and

young leaves.

Young chimpanzees spend much of their time

playing with objects and chasing each other.

This helps prepare the chimp to find

food and fight off enemies

in adult life.

ConSERvATion

The forests where monkeys and apes live are being

cut down at a great speed. newly planted trees are

soon removed for timber, so they do not provide

homes for the local wildlife. Dozens of different kinds

of monkeys are at risk. Among them is the woolly spider

monkey of brazil. Some non-profit organizations have

taken up their cause. Their three-point program works

through rescue and rehabilitation, conservation

education, and research.

The acrobatic gibbon

swings through the

trees of southeastern

Asia and rarely

comes down to

the ground.

Find out more

Animals

Animal senses

Conservation

and endangered species

Forest wildlife

mammals

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