NORFOLK, Va. – A siamang born in November needs a new name, and you can contribute.
What do you think? Is the youngster a Bobo, Luke, Gunter, Bob, Oliver or Pablo?
Staff at the zoo, located in Norfolk, have put together a list of names and opened voting up to the public.
There are more than 20 names to choose from, via Survey Monkey (pun unfortunately not intended!).
Voting will take place through February 16, 2015. The winning name will be announced on Wednesday, Feb.1.
The little boy was born to mother Hitam and father Bali. He has a big sister, Lola, who was born in 2012. He was found clinging to his mother on Nov. 21, 2014.
Siamangs are critically endangered and facing increasing pressure in the wild. They are native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia and are the largest species of gibbon. Siamangs have black shaggy hair and a naked face. They have large gray or pink throat pouch that can be inflated, allowing them to make loud resonating calls that can be heard more than two miles away. Siamangs are omnivorous, eating mostly leaves, but also fruit, insects, nuts, small animals, birds and bird’s eggs. Males and females are similar in size, growing to 30 to 35 inches in length and weighing approximately 17 to 28 pounds.
Siamangs bear one offspring after a seven to eight-month gestation period. For the first few months, the baby clings to the mother’s abdomen. By age two, the baby is independent, but still very much a part of the family. At about seven years old they reach sexual maturity and leave their parents.
Siamangs bear one offspring after a seven to eight-month gestation period. For the first few months, the baby clings to the mother’s abdomen. By age two, the baby is independent, but still very much a part of the family. At about seven years old they reach sexual maturity and leave their parents.
