Orangutans - General Information

Orangutans - Habitat

Picture source: Sumatra Orangutans

Orangutans are solitary animals. They need large home ranges with available fruits and shelter. The species can live only in forested areas. Habitat loss is considered the number one threat for the population of Orangutans.

Orangutans - Food Habits

The species can also feed on leaves, buds, and flowers. Soil that is rich in minerals and other nutritious foods such as eggs of small vertebrates are also part of Orangutan diet. The way the species drinks is very interesting. It will reach a hole in a tree, lap water with its hands, and drink.

Orangutans - Behavior

Picture source: Sumatra Orangutans

Male Orangutans tend to be aggressive toward same-sexed animals. A home range of a male Orangutan is usually large. It is about 2-6 sq. km in size. The home range of a male may overlap with home ranges of a few females. Communication is mainly vocal. Orangutans may roar, scream, and smack their lips to express a variety of emotions. By doing this, Orangutans warn intruders about their property rights and attract other-sexed animals.

Orangutans - Information Links

1Up Info - Orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus) - Study the ape's characteristics, diet, distribution, ecology, behavior, habitat, anatomy, male-female, and habits. Orangutans are found in forests of Bornea and Sumatra.

BBCi Wild Animal Facts: Orangutans - Peruse several pictures of Pongo pygmaeus or read about its social organization and anatomical adaptations.

Bornean Orangutan - Lowry Park Zoo of Tampa Bay - Zoo profile describes the dimensions of their Orangutan and presents a picture. Learn the animal's conservation status and natural habitat. Conservation Project (KOCP).

MSN Encarta - Orangutans - Learn about the social behavior, diet and physical traits of this primate found only in Southeast Asia.

National Geographic: Orangutans - View Tim Laman's photo of a male Orangutan at home in Indonesia's Gunung Palung National Park. Save the image as wallpaper, if desired.

Orangutan - Pongo pygmaeus - General information about Orangutans.

Picture source: Sumatran Orangutan Society

Orangutan Biology - Oxford University Press - Introduces a book discussing the anatomy, behavior, evolutionary genetics and paleontology of these great apes. Order a copy from the publisher.

Orangutan Evaluation - Question and answer forum called Animal Behavior Concerns and Solutions offers advice on introducing Orangutans into an exhibit.

Orangutan Study Tour in Borneo - Borneo Orangutan study and support tour Borneo is the world's third largest island with Kalimantan, Indonesia, taking up three quarters of it.

Orangutans - Animal Diversity Web - Profile identifies the anatomical adaptation and distinguishing behaviors of this ape. Includes Pongo pygmaeus picture.

Orangutans - Animal Info - Locate data on this ape's geographic range, conservation status and life cycles. Includes population estimates.

Orangutans - Honolulu Zoo - Pictures of a captive Orangutan accompany a description of its diet, behavior and geographical range. Find a primate quiz.

Orangutans - Houston Zoo - Become familiar with the physical traits, ecological niche and conservation concerns of Pongo pygmaeus.

Orangutans - Primate Info Net - Pongo pygmaeus profile contains facts about the primate's locomotion, anatomy and diet. Includes photos.

Orangutans at the New Orleans Zoo - Exhibits photo gallery about the New Orleans Zoo's Orangutans, taken by photographer Philip Greenspun.

Orangutans Just Hangin' On - Public TV channel presents a guide to its documentary about these intelligent yet endangered apes. Learn about their intelligence and behavior.

Pongo - WRPRC Primate Image Collection - Click on a thumbnail to enlarge one of these Orangutan images or learn how to borrow slides from the Wisconsin Regional Primate Research Center.

Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary - Visitors can get close to Orangutans in this sanctuary. Learn about excursions and about the Information Nature Education Center.

Sumatran Orangutan - Sedgewick County Zoo - Become familiar with the anatomical adaptations and ecological niche of Pongo pygmaeus abelii through this zoo profile.

The Balikpapan Orangutan Society - Seeking help for the lives of these endangered apes. With reports on the Indonesian forest fires and drought which are destroying their habitat.

Picture source: The Nature Conservancy

The Lady Orangutan - Read about an encounter between an Orangutan and a child, and learn how the animal tried to communicate with the child.

The Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) - Description and habitat of the Orangutan.

The Orangutan Network - An opportunity to make a concrete contribution to Orangutan conservation and the understanding of Orangutan local traditions

The Orangutan Pongo Pygmaeus - Once found throughout Southeast Asia, this species of ape now survives only in small populations across the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

The World of the Orangutan - Conservation information about the Orangutan in Indonesia. In English, German, and Dutch.

Woodland Park Zoo Animal Facts - Orangutans - Profiles the social organization, life cycle, population and habitat of this Southeast Asian animal.