Orangutan

Orangutan

Orangutans are characterized by their red hair, long arms and intelligence.

They are the last great ape of the Asian rainforests found only in Borneo and Sumatra.

There are only several thousand remaining in the wild; they are on the endangered species list.¹

Fast Facts

Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Primates
Diet: Omnivore²
Habitat: Forested areas¹
Largest tree-climbing mammal¹
Known as the people of the forest²
Share 97% DNA with humans³
Can walk on all fours or upright
Have opposable thumbs
Some researches believe their intelligence is second only to humans²
Scientists estimate extinction in the wild within 10 to 12 years²

Near Extinction

Illegal logging wipes out five to six million acres of forest every year in Indonesia. Due to the destruction of the orangutan's natural habitat, it is estimated that only 50,000 to 60,000 currently remain in the wild.

Scientists estimate that orangutans will be extinct within 10 to 12 years.²

Categories

Animals | Science | Mammals | Endangered Species

| View Note History

The Mahalo Top 7

Wikipedia: Orangutan
Smithsonian National Zoo: Think Tank Orangutan Cam | Meet the Orangutans
WhoZoo: Orangutans
World Wildlife Fund: Orangutans
National Geographic: Orangutan Profile
University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean orangutan)
Great Ape Trust: Orangutan Research

Orangutan News and Articles

ABC News: World's oldest orangutan dies at 55 (December 31, 2007)
FOX News: Orangutans Play Charades to Communicate (2007)
National Geographic: Wild Orangutans: Extinct by 2023? (March 9, 2004)
MongaBay.com: Orangutans May Be Extinct in 20 Years (September 30, 2003)
Scientific American: "Why Are Some Animals So Smart?" (2006)
Google News: Orangutan

Orangutan Background and Behavior

National Geographic: Orangutans Show Signs of Culture, Study Says (2003)
PBS: NATURE: Orangutans: Just Hangin' On
Honolulu Zoo: Orangutan Facts
Duke University: Investigating Orangutan Cultures

Orangutan and Humans

Animal Planet: Audio Interview:Communicating with Orangutans
The Orangutan Conservancy: Orangutans & the Rainforest: Threats
Cosmos: "Orangutans Communicate With Charades" (2007)
The New York Times: "Scientist at Work - Saving the Orangutan, Preserving Paradise" (2000)

Orangutan Fun Stuff

YouTube: Every Which Way But Loose with Clyde the Orangutan (Time: 1:29)
YouTube: Orangutan Fun at Nyaru Menteng (3:37)
National Geographic Kids: Orangutans: Creature Feature
FONZ: Coloring Page: Orangutan

Orangutan Photos and Videos

YouTube & Google Video Search: Orangutan
YouTube: Orangutan Advocacy Slideshow (Time: 4:06)
YouTube: Orangutan Does Housework (Time: 3:51)
YouTube: Budi the Baby Orangutan (Time: 2:34)
Google Image Search: Orangutan
Yahoo! Image Search: Orangutan
Acclaim Images Search: Orangutan Photos

Orangutan Blogs and Forums

Chimp Rescue Blog: Orangutan Stories
ARN: Bipedalism In Orangutans - With A Helping Hand
San Diego Zoo Blog Post: Painting with Orangutans
MSNBC Blog Post: Rules about Touching an Orangutan? Who Knew?

Orangutan Related Organizations

Orangutan Books and Related Merchandise

Amazon.com: Orangutan Books
Harvard University Press: Among Orangutans: Red Apes and the Rise of Human Culture
Barnes & Noble: Orangutan Books
CafePress: BOS International Orangutan Merchandise

Related Pages on Mahalo

Monkeys | Primates | Gorillas | Chimpanzees | Rainforest | Endangered Species

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