RASMAYA AND SOMER
LAR GIBBON -Hylobates lar
At the Haven we have Rasmaya (b.24.06.1980) and Somer (b.12.03.2005) who are mother and daughter.
Rasmaya was born in Germany and has lived at many zoos in Europe before settling at the Haven. She is one of the oldest monkeys we look after and she enjoys swinging around her enclosure and loves to eat apple.
Somer is the feisty daughter who loves playing on the ropes using every inch of her enclosure. She also enjoys playing with a cardboard box and can often be seen taking it on to the top shelf and sitting inside it.
ABOUT LAR GIBBONS
Lar means 'spirit of the forest'.
Lar gibbons rarely come to the ground, instead they use their long arms and elongated hands and swing through the trees. This swinging motion is called brachiation.
Lar gibbons live in monogamous pairs, which means that a male and a female live together and rear their offspring. Breeding occurs throughout the year with the females gestation period (pregnancy) being about 205 days.
Their diet is primarily frugivourous but they also eat immature leaves, flowers, stems, buds, insects and the occasional bird.
Despite lacking a tail, the gibbons sense of balance is extremely good. Lars can be found walking on their hind legs along branches high above the ground, characteristically raising their arms above their head for balance.
Lar Gibbons have slim bodies, long arms and are covered in a thick fluffy fur. They range in colour from light sandy blonde to dark brown and have no tail. Lars have a ring of white fur outlining their faces and have white feet and hands. For this reason they are also referred to as 'white handed gibbons'.
Common Name
Lar Gibbon
Latin Name
Hylobates lar
Conservation status
Endangered. CITES Appendix I. Nationally protected
Distribution
Northern Sumatra, throughout peninsular Malaysia, most of Thailand and marginally into Southern China
Habitat
Evergreen, semi-evergreen and mixed evergreen- deciduous forest. Also known to use regenerating secondary forest and selectively logged forest
Height
Approx 50cm
Weight
4.5kg - 7.5 kg
Wild Diet
Mostly frugivourous (fruit eater) as well as leaves, some flowers and insects
Breeding
Females mature at 8-10 years and males 8-12 years. One offspring born every 3-5 years
Behavior
A mated pair and their offspring occupy a territory. Vocalisations in the form of a duet are used to defend their territory
