Depending on the subspecies, lar gibbons can grow between 17-25 inches in length and weigh 9-29 pounds with both sexes being the same size. They come in a variety of colors from light brown, black, sandy hues, and dark brown. Both sexes have a ring of white around their face as well white feet and hands, which is why they are sometimes called the white-handed gibbon.

There are five species of lar gibbons found from China to Thailand to the Malay Peninsula, as well as in some parts of Sumatra. Their long arms make them expert climbers, so they prefer anywhere with high trees and canopies like rainforests, bamboo forests, and evergreen forests.

Lar gibbons can be considered omnivores but are usually categorized as frugivorous since fruit makes up over 50% of their diet with figs being the main proponent. Other than fruit, they consume insects, eggs, flowers, and leaves. During winter, when vegetation is unavailable, lar gibbons will consume mainly insects. Since their diet does not supply them with enough water, you will often see them cupping water with their hands out of tree holes.

Lar gibbons mate year-round but conceptions increase in March during the dry season. After mating, females will be pregnant for a little over 6 months before giving birth to usually a single baby. The baby lar gibbon is born white and develops its final coat after 2-4 years. The young nurse for the first two years of their life until they reach full maturity after 8 years.

Lar gibbons are known as brachiators, which means they swing with their arms. They don’t have a tail to help with balance and their arms are usually 1.5 times longer than their legs so it’s their sole way of getting around. Lar gibbons have hooked hands to give them a solid grip on branches allowing them to swing and soar 40 feet to branches, over openings, and across rivers.