(Southern) Golden-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus gabriellae

The Golden-cheeked Gibbon, also called the Yellow-cheeked, is native to fragmented areas of forest in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It is endangered.

The adult male (above left) is black with the "golden cheeks" - like shaving brushes either side of his muzzle. The female (right) is blonde with a dark brown/black bar on the centre of her crown.

All are born blond to match their mother's fur and all turn black as juveniles. Females turn blonde again on reaching sexual maturity. Like other gibbons, a pair will duet to declare bond and territory.

The population has been split into Northern, Nomascus annamensis, and Southern, Nomascus gabriellae, but the split is not universally recognised.

Their palms are black. With long limbs, they are agile in the tree tops. Gibbons being apes rather than monkeys, they are closer to humans.