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Orangutans
In the Malay language the word "orang" means "person." The word "hutan" means "of the forest." When combined they create orangutan (Pongo spp.) or "person of the forest." A variety of forms of tool use have been recorded, such as using leaves as napkins or gloves, using items to extract insects from trees or seeds from spiny fruits, and making “kiss-squeak” noises with leaves or their hands. Scientists have documented that geographically separate orangutan populations show evidence of cultural variation in their behavior.
Taxonomy
Family: Family Hominidae
Species: There are two species of orangutan (Bornean and Sumatran) and three subspecies
There are two species of orangutan:
- Bornean (Pongo pygmaeus)
- Sumatran (Pongo abelii)
There are three subspecies of orangutan:
- Bornean (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus), (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii), (Pongo pygmaeus morio)
- Sumatran (No subspecies currently recognized)
Location
Orangutans are found in the following countries:
Habitat:
- Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Physical Traits
- Adult males have large cheek pads, a throat sac and more obvious facial hair than adult females
- Orangutans have long, strong arms and relatively short legs – excellent adaptations for locomoting from tree to tree to gather food
- Due to their large size and weight, orangutans always keep one hand or foot anchored to tree limbs while traveling through the forest
- Orangutan hair color ranges from light orange-reddish to dark brown
- Adult males may be twice as large as adult females (sexual dimorphism)
Diets and Activities
- Orangutans primarily eat fruit (figs, durian, mangoes, etc.), but they also consume leaves, bark, soil and occasional bird eggs or insects
- Some orangutans have been observed catching and eating a primate called a slow loris
- Orangutans are active during the day and spend almost all of their time in the trees (arboreal)
- Orangutans make nests of leaves and branches in the trees where they sleep for the night
Population
Habitat destruction threatens all orangutans and is a primary threat to the status of orangutans in the wild. Hunting in Borneo is an additional threat with tremendous impact. Trends predict that Sumatran orangutans may be extinct in less than ten years.
| Pongo Pymaeus1 | Bornean Orangutan | 54,000 Est. |
|---|---|---|
| Pongo p. pygmaeus | 3,000 - 4,500 Est. | |
| Pongo p. wurmbii | 35,000 Est. | |
| Pongo p. morio | 15,000 Est. |
| Pongo Abelli1 | Sumatran Orangutan | 6,600 Est. |
|---|
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Social Behaviors