What kind of animals are Sumatran and Bornean orangutans? We will introduce and explain many of the characteristics, ecology, and habitats of these animals. Orangutans are highly intelligent animals found on the island of Kalimantan (Borneo) in Indonesia. Although they are a familiar animal that everyone knows, they are actually designated as an endangered species.
What is an Orangutan? Basic Stats
Orangutans are animals classified in the Hominidae family, Pongo genus. Their English name is Orang-utan, and their scientific name is Pongo pygmaeus. Males are 100-150cm long, females 80-120cm long, sitting height 70-90cm, and weights are 60-110kg for males and 40-50kg for females. A list of information is below. There is a significant difference in physical size between males and females.
| Japanese（和名） | オランウータン |
| English（英名） | Orang-utan |
| scientific name(学名) | Pongo pygmaeus |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Primates、Hominidae、Pongo 哺乳綱、霊長目、ヒト科、オランウータン属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 100～150cm |
| Weight（体重） | 40～110kg |
About classification
There are the following subspecies of orangutans. Quoted from Wiki.
- Pongo abelii スマトラオランウータン Sumatran orang-utan
- Pongo pygmaeus ボルネオオランウータン Bornean orang-utan
- Pongo tapanuliensis タパヌリオランウータン Tapanuli orangutan
Habitat
Orangutans are found only in parts of the tropical rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. During the Pleistocene, they were also found in Southeast Asia and southern China, but are gradually losing their habitat.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Orangutans are apes, and are the second largest animal after gorillas. Their body hair is quite long, and their whole body is chestnut or reddish brown, with very long hair on their shoulders and back. Their ears are small, their face is black, and their nose is round and protruding along with their mouth. There is hair around their mouth, and they have a throat pouch. Males have a flat protrusion called a “flange.” Their thumbs are short, but they are opposed to the other four, making it easy to grasp things.
What is their personality like?
Orangutans mostly live in trees in forests and other places, and do not come down to the ground. They swing their bodies while hanging from one hand, stretch out their other arm to grab a branch, and move slowly from branch to branch, and usually live alone, but their range of movement is about 2.2 to 6 km2. They also live in groups on rare occasions, so they are very social and intelligent. They cannot swim, but can walk across shallow rivers.
About Intelligence
Orangutans are one of the most intelligent non-human primates. Zoo Atlanta has a touch screen computer where you can see two Sumatran orangutans playing games when they have time. Orangutans can also use sticks and other objects skillfully to make life easier, and it is known that they are quite intelligent.
What is their ecology like?
Orangutans live mainly on fruit, plants, leaves and buds, sap, bark, etc. They reproduce viviparously. They are polygamous and have no set breeding season. The gestation period is 270 days and they can give birth to one baby at a time. Babies are weaned and independent after 2 to 3 years. They change from milk teeth to permanent teeth in about 5 to 8 years, and reach sexual maturity in males at 8 to 15 years and females at 6 to 11 years. They can live for 30 to 50 years in the wild and over 50 years in captivity.
Do they have any natural enemies?
Orangutans have no natural predators other than humans, but their babies can be attacked by snakes and other creatures.
Are orangutans endangered?
Orangutans have lost more than 80% of their forest habitat due to deforestation and development, and their habitat is fragmented. They are currently listed as an endangered species and in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which prohibits unauthorized trade under international law. They are highly protected due to their high risk of extinction in the near future. A 2018 study found that the Bornean orangutan population decreased by 148,500 between 1999 and 2015. They need immediate protection.
Can you keep orangutans as pets?
As mentioned above, orangutans are designated as endangered species, so they cannot be kept as pets. There will be information about events at the zoo, so enter the zoo and enjoy watching them. When the zoo opens, go to the general information desk to see the herd exhibit. There are also videos and links on the Internet.
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