Hylobates moloch
A silvery small ape dependent on Java’s forest canopy. Calls, family relationships, and routes through the trees shape its life.
PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA
Javan gibbon vs Siamang: the differences
How do the Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.
The Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) and the siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) share the family Hylobatidae but belong to different genera: Hylobates and Symphalangus. Range in Indonesia — the Javan gibbon: Forests on Java; the siamang: Sumatra.
Symphalangus syndactylus
The largest gibbon, with a throat sac that amplifies its calls. Group life connects communication, infant care, and connected forest.
Javan gibbon and Siamang compared
| Aspect | Javan gibbon | Siamang |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Hylobates moloch | Symphalangus syndactylus |
| Indonesian name | Owa Jawa | Siamang |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates | Primates |
| Family | Hylobatidae | Hylobatidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Forests on Java | Sumatra |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes | No |
| Key features | — | Inflatable throat sac |
| Size | — | Body size: About 10 kg; 74–89 cm tall |
| Diet | Fruit, leaves, and flowers | Fruit and young leaves |
| Diet type | herbivore (plant-eater) | herbivore (plant-eater) |
| Reproduction | giving birth to live young (viviparous) | giving birth to live young (viviparous) |
| IUCN status | Endangered | Endangered |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |
Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page; an empty cell means the data is not yet available, not that it is absent.
How to tell them apart
- Siamang: Inflatable throat sac.
Sources
- University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web — Hylobates moloch ↗
- The Aspinall Foundation — Javan gibbon ↗
- The Aspinall Foundation — Working to save Javan gibbons ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- IUCN Red List ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), MamFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo — Siamang ↗
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center — Siamang ↗
- Smithsonian — A day in the life of siamangs ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
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