Animals

Largest of the lesser apes. Height: up to 3 feet. Weight: 20 to 45 pounds (Sumatran male is largest). Color: jet black, with long, profuse, somewhat shaggy hair. Face is naked with sparse stubble of moustache and beard. Armspread up to 5 feet. Forearm hair grows toward elbow as in great apes and humans. Dark eyes, color vision, and a throat sac inflatable to the size of the head (gular sac). The toes are webbed between 2nd and 3rd toes. No facial fringe or tail.

Upper canopy of forested regions of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula from 500 to 2500 feet.
Fruits, leaves and other plant products. Probably also small animals, insects, birds and birds' eggs.
Social group consists of a monogamous pair: one male, one female and up to 3 dependent offspring. Gestation: 7-8 months (230 days). Single births. Young are born very small (6 ounces) and usually naked. The long adult hair does not appear until 2-3 years of age. Infant is weaned at one year. When there are older youngsters in the family, the father gives the older ones protection and affection while the mother tends the infant. Siamangs mature at 8 years of age and at that time leave their parents. Lifespan: 25 years.