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Animals
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Mammals
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monkeys and apes (primates)
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Orangutans
Orangutans
Do you like Orangutans?
What are they like?
The orangutans are two species of great apes known for their intelligence and their long arms and reddish-brown hair. Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, they are currently found only in rainforests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, though fossils have been found in Java, Vietnam and China. They are the only extant species in the genus Pongo and the subfamily Ponginae (which also includes the extinct genera Gigantopithecus and Sivapithecus). Their name derives from the Malay and Indonesian phrase orang hutan, meaning "person of the forest". Orangutans are the most arboreal of the great apes, spending nearly all of their time in the trees. Every night they fashion nests to sleep in from branches and foliage. They are more solitary than the other apes, with males and females generally coming together only to mate. Mothers stay with their babies until the offspring reach an age of six or seven years. There is significant sexual dimorphism between females and males: females can grow to around 4'2" feet or 1.3 meters and weigh around 100 lbs, while fully mature males can reach 5'9" or 1.8 metres in height and weigh over 260 lbs. Fully mature males can be distinguished by their prominent cheek phalanges and longer hair.
How do they look like?
Which classification do they belong to?
Class:
Mammals
Group:
monkeys and apes (primates)
How can I learn more about these animals?
We recommend that you read the book displayed on the left.
We also offer a number of science classes on animals that you might be interested in:
Backyard Animals
Ocean Animals
Snakes
Land Turtles
Water Turtles
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