Their natural habitat is in the trees, where they can swing from limb to limb with remarkable speed. Sometimes, when moving along a large branch, or on the ground, they stand upright with their arms held high for balance, like a tightrope walker. They sleep sitting up in the branches, huddled together in twos and threes.
Gibbons live in small family units, and claim a certain area of the forest as their territory.
Each morning, before their daily search for fruits, leaves, and buds, and the occasional insect or young bird, they warn intruders of their presence by making ear-splitting shrieks that can be heard over long distances. Gibbons usually weigh between 8 and 9 kg. There are seven distinct species with much colour variation, ranging from creamy yellow to black.