Orangutan Facts
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Their physical features are readily adaptable to life among the trees, rather than terrestrial life. However, their terrestrial life seems to be related to the presence of ground predators, with the Bornean orangutans spending more time on the ground.
Taking into account some ground time, it's still safe to say that the average Orangutan day consists of moving among the trees in search of food, usually fruit, nuts, leaves and the the occasional insect. They also build daily nests in trees for resting.
Contrary to the male philopatry, and complex societies, common with the African Great Apes, Orangutans are mostly solitary. Recent research suggests, that in specific areas, a form of social philopatry exists where both male and female kin remain near their natal territory. The overlapping territory often results in shared foraging patterns.
Both males and females measure less than five feet tall, with males, on average slightly larger than females. Weight is an altogether different factor, with males reaching up to two hundred pounds, while females tipping the scales at about the one hundred pound mark.
Considering the extreme Orangutan sexual dimorphism, it might be reasonable to assume that the solitary social structure aides in child rearing because the large males living in a smaller bounded territory might be inclined to consume most of the available food.
In areas of high food availability, researchers report larger, mixed groups foraging.
Two species, the Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) are recognized, with both listed as endangered, primarily because of deforestation on their home islands. Of late, the Western world's thirst for biofuels has increased deforestation pressures as developers rush to plant palm oil.
© 2010 Patricia A. Michaels.