Interesting Facts About Orangutans

Orangutans are one of the four great ape species. They are highly intelligent and fascinating creatures. In fact, they are one of our closest relatives. Read this informative article to learn some interesting facts about orangutans.

Orangutans have a bulky body, long arms and short legs. Most people are familiar with the reddish-brown hair of an orangutan. They do not have tails. The male orangutan is larger than the female. Males stand approximately 4 1/2 feet tall and weigh 130 to 200 pounds. Females stand 2 1/2 feet tall and weigh 90 to 110 pounds.

Orangutans have hands and feet very similar to humans. They are often referred to as having four hands.

Orangutan means "man of the forest."

Orangutans are actually omnivores since they may sometimes eat birds and small mammals but they are mostly herbivores. Their diet mostly consists of plants, leaves, seeds and insects.

Orangutans live mostly in trees. They brachiate through the trees which means they swing through the trees using a hand over hand motion.

Orangutans are very highly intelligent animals. They have the ability to think and reason. They've even been known to fashion primitive tools. They use branches and leaves to make nests in trees in which to sleep. Orangutans often use leaves as umbrellas or as a roof to protect them from rain.

Orangutans are shy, solitary and gentle creatures. They are mostly active during the day.

Male and female orangutans come together briefly to mate. The offspring stay with the mother for approximately 7 years. Orangutan offspring have the longest maternal dependency of all animals. Female orangutans have a gestation period of 8 1/2 to 9 months and produce a single offspring. Female orangutans only give birth about once every 8 years.

Orangutans have throat pouches that allow them to make a "long call" ( a short series of vocalizations followed by a bellow) that carries through the forest. The long call is used to claim territory, call females or to keep intruders away. The throat pouch is more developed in males than females.

The lifespan of orangutans is 30 to 45 years in the wild and 50 to 60 years in captivity.