Orangutans belong to apes family and they are also called as Asian apes. They were native to Indonesia and Malaysia, but now they are present in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. Their reddish brown color is different from all other members of apes’ family. Here are some interesting facts about these great apes.
1. Largest arboreal animals
Orangutans are largest animals which stay in tress for long time. They are large apes but their hook shapes hands and powerful arms facilitate them in climbing and moving from one tree to another.
2. Physical features
Male and female orangutans are different from each other in appearance and size. Male are large in size and their weight is around 100 kilograms, while females weigh only 50 kilograms and they appear smaller as compared to males.
3. Diet
The diet of orangutans consists of fruits, nuts, bark and some other part of trees. Occasionally, they also eat termites and eggs of the birds. They also drink water, which they usually find in tree hollows.
4. Social life
Orangutan’s off springs live with their mothers usually for 11 years. But adult orangutans are solitary animals and come together just for the sake of mating.
5. Threats
Tiger, lion and large pythons are orangutan’s hunters. Deforestation is also a threat for these apes, which has brought this species on the verge of extinction.