Orang-utans are great apes indigenous to the tropical rainforests of the Sumatran and Bornean islands. Of the three species identified so far, the Bornean type flourishes across the width and breadth of the Bornean Island and the Sumatran and Tapanuli species in Northern Sumatra.
It is easy to recognize an orang-utan from other primates by its red fur coat. They resemble apes in their shape. The arms are disproportionately longer and more agile than the legs. Orang-utans can touch their ankles without bending even a bit! Can you do that?
These arboreal primates possess excellent cognitive abilities similar to gorillas and chimpanzees and are slightly smaller than the former.
Orang-utans are known as the ‘gardeners of the forest’. They play the role of stakeholders and are vital in seed dispersal and forest growth.
Arboreal in nature, they seldom come down unless absolutely necessary. They are often attacked and killed by leopards, tigers and crocodiles. However, the most significant threat arises from habitat loss due to road development, timber trade, and commercialized agricultural activities.
Picture Credit : Google
