Orangutan, << oh RANG u tan, >> is a large, red-haired ape that lives in the tropical rain forests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. Larger male orangutans stand about 4 1/2 feet (140 centimeters) tall and weigh about 180 pounds (80 kilograms). Mature males usually have broad cheek pads called flanges that jut out from the sides of the face. Females are about half as large as males. They have no cheek pads.
Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals. They are well adapted to life in the trees. An orangutan’s arms are extremely long compared to its legs and upper body, reaching to its ankles when the animal stands upright. Orangutans also have long, curved fingers and toes that help them grasp branches, making them excellent climbers. They eat and sleep high in the treetops and rarely come to the ground.
Orangutans prefer to eat ripe fruits. Figs are an important part of their diet, especially at certain times of the year. When fruit is scarce, they also eat leaves, bark, and occasionally insects and meat. Like other apes, orangutans are highly intelligent. They build nests of woven branches for resting and sleeping. They also make simple tools from sticks and leaves. They use these tools as probes, sponges, and umbrellas.
Orangutans are generally less social than other apes. Adults live far apart in the forest and usually avoid one another. Males and females may spend several days together when they mate, but they soon part. Females usually produce one infant every seven to nine years. Males do not care for infants. Offspring remain with their mother for six years or more. Orangutans live about 40 years in the wild.
Loading the player...Orangutan swinging in trees
Orangutans once lived throughout southern China and Southeast Asia. Today, they live on only two islands and are in danger of becoming extinct. The chief threats to orangutans include deforestation and hunting. Some local people hunt orangutans for their meat. But most hunting is of females to collect their babies for sale as pets. Laws protect the remaining orangutans and preserve their habitat. However, these laws are rarely enforced.
See also Galdikas, Birute.
