UPSC Prelims 2026 · Question 32 of 96

UPSC Prelims 2026 question on Western Hoolock Gibbon

With respect to the Western Hoolock Gibbons, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. A Sanctuary in North-east India is home to this ape species listed as Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

2. They have specialized brachiation and can easily swing between trees.

3. They possess a strong and heavy build like gorillas, yet are remarkably agile tree climbers.

Select the answer using the code given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 1 and 2
  3. 2 and 3
  4. 3 only
Show answer

Answer: B. 1 and 2

Verdict

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, so the answer is Option (b).

Statement by statement

Statement 1 is correct: The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary contains India's only ape and gibbon species. A large majority of the population of gibbons in India belong to the Western species. The Western Hoolock Gibbon's IUCN status is Endangered.

Statement 2 is correct: Gibbons mainly get around by swinging from branch to branch: this is called brachiation. They rely on their hands much more than their feet and, like all apes, they have no tail, making their sense of balance in the treetops even more impressive.

Statement 3 is not correct: Gibbons and gorillas are polar opposites in body type. The Western Hoolock Gibbon weighs 6-9 kg (about the size of a house cat or small dog), stands 60-90 cm tall, and has a light, slender, gracile build with disproportionately long arms (longer than its legs) for brachiation. A gorilla weighs 100-200 kg in males, which is 15-30 times heavier than a gibbon, and is massively muscled and heavy-boned. Gorillas are ground-dwelling and knuckle-walk, whereas gibbons never touch the ground.

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