Use of the forest canopy by the agile gibbon

Brachiation was the main form of locomotion and took place along branches and boughs in the upper canopy. The posture during feeding depended on the substrate, with the gibbons sitting on branches but hanging in twigs. During foraging the gibbons hung more, even on branches, but as only short stops were made this is probably to increase mobility. Feeding on fruit took place mainly in the middle canopy on small trees; feeding on leaves and foraging occurred evenly throughout the middle and upper canopies. Gibbons are light mobile animals with a rapid and direct form of locomotion that enables them to exploit dispersed food sources and to defend a large territory.