20 Interesting Facts About Orangutans

1. Orangutans are one of great apes. They are the only great apes native to Asia (Indonesia and Malaysia).
2. Orangutans are the only primates, other than humans, that can talk about their experiences. They talk about the danger even after the departure of their predators. (Source)
3. Orangutans are the smartest nonhuman primates. They proved their superior IQ level by performing best in nine types of task intelligence. (Source)
4. Orangutans are the most distant relatives of human beings among great apes. They share 97% of their DNA with humans, compared to around 99% of genes similarity between humans and chimpanzees. (Source)
5. In contrast to knuckle-walking in African apes (gorillas and chimpanzees), orangutans are primarily fist walkers. (Source)
6. Infanticide behavior is common among primates. But unlike most other primates, male orangutans don’t practice infanticide. (Source)
7. There are 3 species of orangutans. Bornean orangutan is present in the island of Borneo. Sumatran orangutan and Tapanuli orangutan are present in Sumatra. 

   

   3 species of orangutans are present in Indonesia and Malaysia
   
   

8. The population of all three species of orangutans is declining sharply. Bornean orangutans are “Endangered” while Sumatran orangutans and Tapanuli orangutans are “Critically Endangered”. (Source)
9. Orangutan is the largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammal on earth. The average weight and height of male orangutans are 83 kg and 1.5 meters (5 feet), respectively. Their arm span is around 2 m (6 feet). (Source)
10. They are also the most arboreal (spend time on trees) among great apes. They spend more than 80% of their lives on trees.
11. Orangutans are one of several animals that self-medicate. Few wild orangutans use medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory properties to treat swelling, muscular pain, and sore bones. They are the first great apes known for rubbing ointment on their bodies. (Source)
12. In 2015, a female orangutan became the first ape to get human-like legal rights. An Argentinean court granted these rights to an orangutan present in the Buenos Aires Zoo. (Source)
13. Female orangutans give birth once every 7 to 8 years. They nurse their babies for up to 6 years. It is one of the longest nursing periods among animals. (Source)
14. A unique feature of orangutans is the color of their hair, which ranges from orange to reddish-brown. No other ape possesses such a color of hair.
15. Orangutans are the most solitary among great apes. Males remain alone and keep other orangutans away through howling calls that can reach up to 1.2 miles.
16. Orangutans eat more than 400 varieties of fruit that comprise 90% of their diet. Their other food components include leaves and nuts. Orangutans also play a part in the regeneration of fruits they eat.
17. Orangutans can live from 30 to 40 years in the wild. However, they can survive for 60 years in captivity.
18. Studies have proved that captive orangutans are more curious than the wild ones. Living with humans also improves their problem-solving skills. (Source)
19. Tigers, other big cats, pythons, and crocodiles are the main predators of orangutans. These primates avoid them by spending more time in the trees. 
20. In the Malay language, the word orangutan means “man of the forest”.