1. THERE ARE THREE (3) SPECIES OF ORANGUTAN
There are three (3) species of orangutans that make up Asia's only Great Ape. The Borneon (Pongo pygmaeus), the Sumatran (Pongo abelii) and the Tapanulli (Pongo tapanuliensis), are the recently confirmed new species (2017). These great apes are only found in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatran.
The look and behaviour of Bornean and Sumatran orangutans varies somewhat. Sumatran orangutans have longer facial hair than Bornean orangutans. Sumatran orangutans are said to have stronger social connections than their Bornean counterparts. Bornean orangutans are more prone to descend from trees and forage on the ground. Both species have had significant population decreases. There were probably more than 230,000 orangutans in total a century ago, but the Bornean orangutan population is currently projected to be at 104,700 based on revised geographic range (Endangered), while the Sumatran population is assessed to be around 7,500. (Critically Endangered).
In November of 2017, a third orangutan species was identified. The Tapanuli orangutan is the most endangered of the great apes, with less than 800 individuals remaining.
All species also exhibit a high degree of sexual dimorphism, with males weighing an average of 87 kg and measuring 97 cm, and females weighing an average of 37 kg and measuring 78 cm (Markham & Groves 1990: Rowe 1996). They might look fairly similar with fluffy ginger fur, but Borneon orangutans have darker red coats and rounder faces than Sumatran.
2. ARBOREAL ANIMAL
Orangutans are the biggest arboreal animal, spending most of their time in trees and are distinguished by their characteristic red fur. They can navigate between the branches because of their long, strong arms and grabbing hands and feet. These great apes share 97% of our genes and are highly intelligent creatures.
They build nests in vegetation to sleep in at night and relax during the day. Male orangutans may weigh up to 200 pounds as adults.
3. ORANGUTAN'S DIET
Orangutans mainly eat fruits. Fruit makes up around 60% of an orangutan's diet. They enjoy fleshy, soft fruits especially those that pop up in large crops on their respective trees. Although primarily frugivorous, orangutans do consume a large variety of food that include leaves, young shoots, flowers, epiphytes, wood pith and tree barks (Galdikas, 1988).
Orangutans favour a fruit called durians. Durians are covered in sharp spines and have a pungent smell. Orangutans get water from a variety of sources, including tree holes and leaves that fill with the water during rainy season.
Mothers teach their babies to learn what food to eat and which trees to find and in what seasons. During this exploration, they help the regeneration of rainforest vegetation by spreading seeds far from parents trees.
4. ALPHA MALE ORANGUTAN
When it comes to orangutan physiology, there are two types of males: flanged and unflanged. All orangutan males look similarly in childhood but due to an increase in testosterone during sexual maturation, some males develop secondary sexual characteristics such as large cheek pads and a laryngeal throat pouch, giving them the name “flanged.”
Other males do not have such a drastic increase in testosterone and thus do not develop such pronounced secondary sexual characteristics, earning them the name “unflanged.” Flanged male orangutans tend to be much larger, and are generally preferred by females.
Like all great apes, an orangutan has a long lifespan and can live to over 30 years in the wild - many live to 50.
5. MAKING TOOLS
Some orangutans use tools - like sticks to get termites, ants or bees out of tree holes. They have also been observed making a tools when handling prickly fruits or thorny fruits.
During raining or hot season they will use larger leaves as an umbrella.