Today at the Zoo

There is always fun to be had at Nashville Zoo.




White-cheeked Gibbon Keeper Talk

04/21/2017, 11:30 AM to 11:45 AM

Weekly on Friday

Gibbon Islands map

Gibbons are not monkeys, but are considered lesser apes due in part to their lack of a tail and ability to walk bipedally on their back legs. Gibbons move through the trees by a process called brachiation which involves swinging using only their arms. Gibbons live in a family unit of an adult male and female and their offspring. The adult female is the dominant member of the group. White-cheeked gibbons are born blonde to camouflage with their mother and then turn black as juveniles. Females finally turn back to a blonde color at sexual maturity while the males stay black. You can see our gibbons on Gibbon Island near Entry Village.