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Orangutan facts

Orangutans are one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom sharing almost 97% DNA!

  • Bornean orangutans are classified as critically endangered which means that they are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
  • Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal in the world
  • Orangutans don’t just eat fruit – they also like termites, bark, roots, leaves and sometimes even small mammals!
  • When looking up from the rainforest floor it is very hard to spot an orangutan. Because their hair is similar to the colours that filter down from the sun, they can camouflage and stay safe from predators.
  • Orangutans build a nest out of branches and leaves at least once a day to rest in.
  • Yokmal a dominant male orangutan at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre
  • The average lifespan of a wild Bornean orangutan is 45 years
  • Baby orangutans stay with their mothers until they are 7-8 years old
  • Orangutans have opposable thumbs, like humans but also opposable big-toes which help them to grip onto high branches
  • Orangutan arms are twice as long as their torso and their hips can rotate which helps them traverse the complex and interconnected canopy of the rainforest with remarkable agility.
  • There are three recognised species of orangutan: The Bornean orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus), the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis).
  • Female orangutan with her baby at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre

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  • Infant orangutan in a tree

    Resources

    Research roundup ⭐

    Staying up to date on the latest research and ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the orangutan and its habitat. New resources will be added to this page regularly.