Mammals
Siamang
Symphalangus syndactylus
The siamang is the largest of the gibbons: an arboreal, black-furred ape with extremely long arms that swings through the trees. It has a throat (gular) sac that inflates like a balloon to launch calls audible for kilometres.
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In short
The siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) is a species with IUCN conservation status EN (Endangered). It lives in the rain and monsoon forests of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and a small area of southern Thailand, from the lowlands to mountain forests. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: view the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the siamang live?
It lives in the rain and monsoon forests of Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and a small area of southern Thailand, from the lowlands to mountain forests. It moves in pairs and small groups over relatively small territories, which it defends mainly with song.
Is the siamang endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Endangered (EN): the population has fallen by at least 50% in forty years. The main threats are forest loss to logging and plantations — especially palm oil — and the illegal trade in infants, to capture which adults are often killed.
Facts about the siamang
- The gular sac, in both males and females, inflates to the size of the head.
- Its scientific name syndactylus refers to the second and third toes joined by a membrane.
- Pairs and groups sing powerful dawn duets to mark their territory.
- Its arms can be up to two and a half times its body length.
Data source: IUCN Red List · Smithsonian's National Zoo
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.