Lar Gibbon

Taxonomy & Occurrence

White-handed Gibbon (Hylobates lar), also known as Lar Gibbons, can be found in China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, and Thailand. Five subspecies are recognized but their taxonomic distinctiveness requires further examination.

The Malaysian White-handed Gibbon (H. l. lar) is only found in Peninsular Malaysia. 

IUCN Conservation Status

Endangered

White-handed Gibbon live in monogamous groups and were initially believed to mate exclusively. Extra-pair copulations were then reported in 1995 in which a paired female copulated with two other paired males from neighboring groups, in addition to her own partner. Subsequent studies reveal that extra-pair matings are more common than previously thought. Their genetic mating system can be described as "flexible, primarily monogamous, and opportunistically promiscuous".