Orangutans - Pictures

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Orangutans - Reproduction

Female Orangutans are in the breeding age for about 20 years. Females reach sexual maturity when they are about 7 years old. Males and females do not form lifelong relationships. Orangutans meet only during the breeding season. After conception, Orangutans part to continue their solitary life.

Males usually attract the attention of a female by vocalization. Sometimes, Orangutan sounds may be heard for long distances. Only the strongest and completely mature males can breed. Though Orangutan males reach the adult size at the age of 10 years old, they have to attain necessary sexual maturity and social status to breed. As a rule, male Orangutans start breeding when they are about 14 years of age.

The gestation period lasts for about 233-265 days. Usually, one juvenile is born in a litter. Orangutans may give birth to twins, yet it is rare. Despite the little weight of a newly born (about 5 pounds), it is well developed. Little Orangutans have few instincts and learn from their mothers while staying with them. For the first 1.5 years, the young are dependent on their mothers.

Orangutans - Rearing the Young

At the age of 4 months, the young start getting food from their mothers' lips. Traveling on the female's abdomen and clinging firmly with the hands to her fur, a little Orangutan will learn species behavior and ways to find food. After the baby is one year old, it will travel on the mother's back. This may go on as long as 2.5 years.

The juvenile are completely weaned by the age of 3.5 years old. Females have a litter every three to six years. However, if the infant loss occurs, a female may deliver a litter sooner. Orangutans tend to live for about 35 years in the wild.

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