|
Orangutans are
large tree dwelling
apes.
|
Orangutans
Classification:
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Primates
Family:
Hominidae
Genus:
Pongo
|
Conservation
Status: Degradation
and destruction
of the rain forest
have threatened
orangutans.
|
Conservation
Status
Sumatran orangutan
is at critical
risk.
Bornean orangutan
is endangered.
|
Other Names:
Forest Man, Mawas,
Person of the Forest,
Orangutan
in Foreign
Languages
Arabic: ''insaan
al-ghaab
Armenian: orangutan
Mandarin:
xingxing
Czech: orangutan
Dutch: orang-oetan
Finnish:
oranki
French:
orang-outan
German:
Orang-Utan
Greek: ourakotagkos
Hungarian:
orangutan
Indonesian:
orang utan
/ mawas
Italian:
orango
Japanese:
oran'utan
Korean:
orang-utan
Malay: orang
utan / mawas
Navajo:
magi dj''ili
Portuguese:
orangotango
Romanian:
urangutan
Russian:
orangutan
Spanish:
orangutan
Swedish:
orangutang
Thai: ling
u-rang-u-dtang
Turkish:
orangutan
|
Size: Female
orangutans are smaller
than their male
counterparts. Orangutans
weigh between 73
to 180 lbs and are
4-5 feet tall. Orangutans
can have a fingertip
to fingertip arm
span of 7 feet!
Species:
There are two species
of orangutans.
Species
of Orangutans
Sumatran
Orangutan
- Pongo
Abelii
Bornean
Orangutan
- Pongo
Pygmaeus
|
Habitat:
Orangutans are found
in Southeast Asia
on the islands of
Borneo and Sumatra.
The orangutan resides
in tropical rain
forests.
Gestation: Orangutans
carry their young
for about 8.5 months.
Birth: Orangutans
usually give birth
in their tree top
nests. Orangutan
babies are 3.3 to
4.5 lbs at birth.
Sexual Maturity:
Male orangutans
reach sexual maturity
around 15 years
age. Female orangutans
reach sexual maturity
around 12 years
of age. Female orangutans
only give birth
every 8 years.
Behavior:
The orangutan is
the largest tree-dwelling
animal. Orangutans
will build nests
in the trees.
Diet: Orangutans
eat fruit, leaves,
tree bark, insects
and rarely meat.
Description:
Orangutans have
large, bulky bodies,
thick necks, long
strong arms and
short bowed legs.
Orangutans have
long reddish-brown
hair that covers
their body and limbs.
Orangutans have
opposable thumbs
and opposable big
toes.
|
Communication:
Orangutans
have a series
of calls used
to alert of
their territory,
summon mates,
and social calls.
|
Did
You
Know?
Orangutans
share
approximately
97%
of
their
DNA
with
humans.
|
|
Social Structure:
Male orangutans
are solitary, however
females and their
young will form
strong bonds staying
together for up
to 7 years.
Life Span:
Orangutans have
an average life
span of 30 to 40
years in the wild.
In capitivity orangutans
will live up to
60 years.
Unusual:
Orangutans are intelligent
and have been known
to make and use
simple tools. Orangutans
will use large leaves
as umbrellas to
protect themselves
from the rains.
|
