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A female Sumatran orangutan (<i>Pongo abelii</i>) photographed at Gladys Porter
Zoo in Brownsville, Texas
A female Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) photographed at Gladys Porter Zoo in
Brownsville, Texas
Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark

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ORANGUTANS


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Common Name: Orangutans
Scientific Name: Pongo
Type: Mammals
Diet: Omnivore
Average Life Span In The Wild: 30 to 40 years
Size: Standing height: 4 to 5 feet
Weight: 73 to 180 pounds
Size relative to a 6-ft man:




The Malay word orangutan means “person of the forest.” These long-haired,
orangish primates, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, are highly intelligent and
are close relatives of humans.


SIZE

Orangutans have an enormous arm span. A male may stretch his arms some 7 feet
from fingertip to fingertip—a reach considerably longer than his standing height
of about 5 feet. When orangutans do stand, their hands nearly touch the ground.


LIFE IN THE TREES

Orangutans' arms are well suited to their lifestyle because they spend much of
their time (some 90 percent) in the trees of their tropical rain forest home.
They even sleep aloft in nests of leafy branches. They use large leaves as
umbrellas and shelters to protect themselves from the common rains.


DIET

These cerebral primates forage for food during daylight hours. Most of their
diet consists of fruit and leaves gathered from rain forest trees. They also eat
bark, insects and, on rare occasions, meat.




SOLITARY BEHAVIOR

Orangutans are more solitary than other apes. Males are loners. As they move
through the forest they make plenty of rumbling, howling calls to ensure that
they stay out of each other's way. The “long call” can be heard 1.2 miles away.


REPRODUCTION

Mothers and their young, however, share a strong bond. Infants will stay with
their mothers for some six or seven years until they develop the skills to
survive on their own. Female orangutans give birth only once every eight
years—the longest time period of any animal. The animals are long-lived and have
survived as long as 60 years in captivity.


THREATS TO SURVIVAL

Because orangutans live in only a few places, and because they are so dependent
upon trees, they are particularly susceptible to logging in these areas.
Unfortunately, deforestation and other human activities, such as hunting, have
placed the orangutan in danger of extinction.

1:06


WATCH: TIL Orangutans Build Comfy Nests to Sleep In

Whether for a quick nap or a full night’s sleep, orangutans build treetop nests
to bed down in. These master engineers design for stability, but also
comfort—some even fashion blankets and pillows. Orangutans build new nests every
day, so it’s fortunate they can whip one...Read MoreRead More

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This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow
us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the
latest submissions and news about the community.
This photo was submitted to Your Shot, our photo community on Instagram. Follow
us on Instagram at @natgeoyourshot or visit us at natgeo.com/yourshot for the
latest submissions and news about the community.
Photograph by Shellie Scholl, National Geographic Your Shot
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