ORANGUTANS
Orang-utans are part of the great ape family. Pongo is
the orangutans Latin name.
HABITAT
Orangutans don’t live in a wide range of
places. They live in south Sumatra and the whole of Borneo. They tend
to build nests in canopies (tops) of trees. Their habitat is being
destroyed and their species is dying out quickly.
DESCRIPTION
Orangutans
make a noise like a cicada or else a “oh, oh, ah, ah”! They have dark
brownish-ginger fur and their feet are like their hands. The males form flanges (pads on their faces) when
they are 11-15 years old. Orangutans do not like the rain because their fur is
not water-proof.
DIET
Orangutans
eat a variety of food plus they are an omnivore so they eat plants and meat.
They eat: fruit, bark, honey, insects and even birds eggs. They may eat leaves
as well as fruit.
DYNAMICS
Orangutans
are extremely clever and use sticks and rocks as tools. Orangutans predators
are tigers and clouded leopards. An orang-utan makes its bed every day and
makes sure it is tidy.
Orangutans
need our help! Forests in Borneo have been chopped down for palm oil which
destroys their habitat. We can help them by giving money to foundations that
save and rescue them, and planting more trees in the forests.
