ORANGUTAN

Size: Males are approximately twice the size of females, weighing up to 100 kilos and reaching a height of 1.3 meters.

Physical Features: Long, narrow hands and feet are suitable for grasping branches. Their thumbs are fully opposable. When on the ground, orangutans move by fist walking as opposed to knuckle walking (like the chimpanzee and gorilla).

Diet: Primarily fruit with young leaves, bark, flowers, insects and bird eggs.

Life span: about 35 - 40 years in the wild; 50+ in captivity.

Interesting fact: Orangutans are the largest tree-living mammals in the world.

ALERT: Orangutans are endangered because their habitat continues to be altered or destroyed by logging, agriculture, fires and, to a lesser degree, the practice of killing a mother to secure an infant or juvenile for the live animal trade (usually 6 to 8 die for every one that survives).

For more information about orangutans, visit: Orangutan Foundation International - Home Page