Size: Head and body; 43-62cm. Weight; 4.5 - 6 kg.

Habitat and Distribution: Found in the tropical rainforests of southern Asia, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Southern China to Eastern Burma.

Age: 25 years in the wild and up to 40 years in captivity.

Groups and Breeding: Until recently, it was thought that the Lar Gibbon was completely monogamous, mating for life with just one partner. However, researchers have found instances of serial monogamy (mating with one partner but with periodic changes) and also promiscuous behaviour. Most are monogamous and live in a pair group with their offspring until they themselves reach maturity at around nine years old.

Females give birth to a single baby after a gestation of 205 days. Although these gibbons breed all year round, generally they will only produce young every two to three years.

Diet: Fruit makes up about half of their diet, but they also feed on leaves, insects, flowers, stems and buds. They are quite fussy as they only eat ripe fruit and new buds and leaves; having said that, they may also eat the occasional bird!

• The Lar Gibbon can cover distances of 15 metres in a single swing and reach speeds of up to 35 mph.
• Although this species has no tail, they are remarkably good at balancing and can walk upright along branches using only their arms held upwards to aid their balance.
• They have a call so loud it can be heard up to 2 miles away!
• The rainforest in southern Asia is being destroyed at the alarming rate of 32 acres per minute.
• This species lives in the upper canopy of the rainforest and rarely if ever comes down to the ground.
• At night they sleep sitting up in ‘sleeping trees’ exclusive to their group.