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As the charming pygmy hippos compete for the title of most adorable viral animal, a new primate is ready to capture hearts. On October 27, a newborn siamang gibbon (Symphalangus syndactylus) made its debut at Zoo Tampa in Lowry Park, Florida, born to mother Hutan and father Sensei. The sex of this little one remains undetermined, but it will join its three-year-old sister Kazuki. Zoo staff have reported that the baby is securely clinging to Hutan and nursing well; both are thriving.
“The entire ZooTampa community is thrilled about our growing siamang family,” stated Chief Zoological Officer Chris Massaro in an official announcement. “Siamangs are classified as endangered, making each birth crucial and a beacon of hope for their survival. The baby is doing wonderfully, and visitors may soon catch a glimpse of this new addition.”
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Siamangs represent the largest species within the gibbon family and are renowned for their remarkable agility and acrobatic skills. These black-furred apes possess long arms along with opposable thumbs and toes. According to data from the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, adult siamangs typically stand between 30 to 35 inches tall and weigh between 17 to 28 pounds. Their arm spans can reach nearly five feet, allowing them to swing up to ten feet in one motion.
Their diet mainly consists of fruit; however, they occasionally consume leaves or protein sources such as insects or small birds’ eggs. Siamangs often eat using one hand while hanging from tree branches with the other.
In contrast with many wild species, siamang fathers play an active role in nurturing their young ones. They take over daily care when offspring reach about one year old—a rarity among primates. Siamangs form strong familial bonds and often mate for life; typically consisting of one adult male paired with one female along with two or three juvenile offspring.
Newborns like those at Zoo Tampa arrive hairless except for a small tuft on top of their heads but quickly learn how to grip onto their mother’s fur shortly after birth.
[Related:[Related:[Related:[Related:Five fascinating facts about pygmy hippos—Scotland’s own Haggis!.]
In their natural habitat, siamangs inhabit treetops within tropical forests across regions like Indonesia, Malaysia,
and Thailand. Their vocalizations include loud barks and booming calls amplified by inflatable throat sacs that help them communicate over vast distances—sometimes claiming territories that span up to 50 acres.
As noted by Zoo Tampa,
they perform unique songs lasting around 35 minutes not only as territorial claims but also as bonding rituals within groups where both males
and females participate harmoniously in what scientists refer
to as duets.
insects,
and bird eggs.
CREDIT:ZooTampa.
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