Small, long-armed apes native to Southeast Asian forests, known for their acrobatic swinging through trees. They are highly vocal primates that form monogamous pairs.
From French 'gibbon', possibly derived from an Indian language. The word entered English in the 18th century when European naturalists first encountered these apes during colonial expeditions to Southeast Asia.
Gibbons are the only apes that are truly monogamous, and their elaborate duet songs can be heard up to a mile away through dense jungle canopy. They're so perfectly adapted for swinging that they can travel through trees at speeds up to 35 mph without ever touching the ground.
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