Orangutans are the largest of all arboreal animals. They spend most of their time in trees. This keeps them safe from predators such as tigers, leopards and crocodiles.

They are highly intelligent animals and are one of the few animals that use tools. They even build nests in the trees. (See Babies)

Unfortunately, these quiet and gentle creatures are endangered. There are only 50-60,000 left in the wild. This is mostly because  of deforestation.  It is also because orangutans don't have many babies. Females spend up to 7 years raising just one baby, so the orangutan population grows very slowly.

arboreal - lives in trees

deforestation - cutting down trees / forests

population - the number of animals

Orangutans are known for their long, shaggy, reddish hair.

Orangutans are very strong! They are not as strong as gorillas, but they are more than 7 times stronger than a man! Male orangutans can weigh up to 220lbs (100kg) and females are half that. They are about 4-5 feet (1.1-1.5m) tall and live 30-40 years.

They have very long powerful arms and hook-shaped feet that enable them to climb and swing easily. They spend most of their lives in the treetops, but when they do come down, they walk on all fours.

The males sometimes have large cheek pads. Females do not. 

Orangutans are omnivores. Most of their diet is fruit and leaves but they also eat nuts, insects and bird eggs. Rarely, they will eat meat.

They get most of their food in the trees. They even get their water up in the trees. They can find it in the hollows of a tree, on leaves, or even on their own fur.

omnivores - animals that eat plants and animals

diet - the food they eat

hollows - holes

fur - hair

Orangutans are very close to their babies. An orangutan mother will only have one baby about once every 8 years. This is because she spends 6-7 years taking care of them. That's longer than most other animals. 

Babies are only about 3.3lbs (1.5kg) when they are born. That's half the size of a human baby. You can fit one in your hand! They are born with their eyes open but they have no teeth. They drink their mother's milk for 3 1/2 years but start eating fruit when they are 3 months old. At first, a mother chews the fruit and puts it into her baby's mouth. Later, it can eat the fruit by itself.

Orangutan babies are helpless when they are born but they do have a very strong grip. They can hold onto their mother with just their hands. When a baby is born, it is carried on its mother's chest. Later, it will ride on her back. She will carry the baby around to keep it safe and teach it everything it needs to know. 

grip - hold