Other Names: Javan Gibbon
Scientific Name: Hylobates moloch
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Body Length: 45–64 cm
Weight: 5–9 kg
Gestation: 210 days
Number of young: 1

Distribution: Java
Habitat: Rainforest

Description: Silvery Gibbons have a fluffy appearance because of their very dense and long silvery-grey fur. They have very long forelimbs, long fingers and shorter thumbs which make them great brachiators (use their arms to swing between branches).

Diet: Silvery Gibbons are omnivores and eat fruits, some leaves and sometimes nectar and grubs.

In the wild: They live in family groups made up of a male and female and up to three juvenile offspring. Like other gibbons the territory is maintained by patrols, physical conflict and loud calling.

Threats: An estimated 98% of the Silvery Gibbons’ original habitat has been destroyed on the island of Java. They now live in 21 unconnected forest patches and the wild population is estimated to be less than 4,000 individuals. Active conservation management of the populations is essential for their long term survival.

At Perth Zoo: Perth Zoo is one of only four institutions in the world successfully breeding Silvery Gibbons. The Silvery Gibbons can be seen in their exhibit in the Asian Rainforest.

Perth Zoo contributes to the conservation of wild Silvery Gibbon populations by supporting the Silvery Gibbon Project and its efforts to protect this species in the wild. If you would like to help, visit the website at www.silvery.org.au.

Did you know? Unlike other gibbon species, the Silvery Gibbon does not sing ‘duets’. The female is the dominant vocalist while the male sings only occasionally.