Orang Utans (human of the forest)

The Orang Utan is one of three big apes. There are two species that live in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo.

Wild Orang Utans spend most of there lives in the tops of the trees and climb safely from branch to branch. Just in a few cases they risk little jumps. Also the night time the spend up in the trees. Therefore they prepare sleeping nests out of branches and leaves.

One thing they don’t like at all is rain. They use “hats of leaves” to protect themselves and their nests from the rain. 65% of their diat are fruits. The ones that contain the most sugar are the most desired ones. Furthermore they feed on seeds, bark, nuts, insects and bird eggs. They spend most of their time alone and they can live up to 30 to 40 years.

Standing straight an adult male Orang Utan can be up to the size of 175 cm and a weight of 100 kg. Females are smaller and lighter. The males with own district are easily distinguishable from the ones without. They have enormous cheek pads a long fur and throat pouch. In his area he has his females with their children. The gestation period is 9 month. Female Orang Utans can give birth to one baby every 6 years. The young one stays with the mother until sexual maturity. During this period the females alone care of the young ones.

Orang Utans are facing the extinction. One reason herefor is the destruction of there natural habitat. Nowadays they are protected and people also try to conserve the last natural habitats but they are endangered by illegal wood cut and by palm oil plantations.