Animal profile

Skywalker hoolock gibbon

Hoolock tianxing

MammaliaMontane evergreen broadleaf forestEndangered

Field profile

The Skywalker hoolock gibbon was separated from the eastern hoolock in 2017 on the basis of genetic and physical differences, including thinner brow fur and a dark beard in males. Its Chinese population is small and concentrated west of the Salween River. Family groups sing duets at dawn from ridge forest.

Published field notes

2023-01-18

Skywalker hoolock gibbon

A gibbon species carries a Star Wars name

Described in 2017, Hoolock tianxing takes its scientific name from Chinese characters meaning heaven's movement. Its describers, who are Star Wars enthusiasts, chose Skywalker hoolock gibbon as the English name, and Mark Hamill publicly endorsed it.

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