30 Interesting Orangutan Facts for Kids and Adults

Wild orangutan

1. Orangutans are great apes, not monkeys

Monkeys and apes are both primates. Great apes are a group of primates which have large bodies, are highly intelligent and don’t have a tail. Other great apes include chimpanzees, gorillas, bonobos and humans.

2. They live in Southeast Asia’s tropical rainforests

Orangutans can only be found in Indonesia and Malaysia, including on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

3. There are three species of orangutan

Each of the species named after the area they come from. They are the Bornean, Sumatran, and the rare Tapanuli orangutans.

4. Tapanuli orangutans are the newest great ape to be discovered

It was only in 2017 that the Tapanuli orangutan was recognised as species, after having been previously thought to be Sumatran orangutans. There may be as few as 800 Tapanuli orangutans left in the wild. Before this, the last great ape to be ‘discovered’ was bonobos in 1929!

5. Orangutan means “person of the forest”

In Malay, the word ‘Orang’ means person and ‘hutan’ means forest. Put together, orangutan is person of the forest.

6. They’re the largest tree-dwelling mammal

Bornean orangutans are the largest arboreal (tree-living) mammal in the world. Although orangutans typically spend most of their time in the trees, they can walk well on the ground.

7. All species of orangutans are Critically Endangered

According to the IUCN Red List, all three species of orangutans are Critically Endangered with populations decreasing.

8. Orangutans use tools

There have been many cases of captive or orangutans undergoing rehabilitation using tools but this has been observed less in wild populations. This may because they have less need for tools in their natural environment.

9. Their feet are a lot like hands

Orangutans have prehensile toes, which means they can use them to grip branches and climb. This allows their hands to be free to use.

10. Orangutans construct nests each night

Orangutans sleep in the forest canopy, where each night they construct a nest to sleep in. This is one of the essential skills rehabilitated orangutans must master before they can be released to the wild, such as Timtom, Born Free’s adopted orangutan.

11. Orangutans sometimes add pillows to their nests

When constructing night nests, orangutans have been observed adding a special ‘pillow’ like feature to their nest. Usually, this is small leafy twigs, arranged on one side of the nest.

12. They’re incredibly intelligent

Orangutans, like other great apes are very intelligent. Measuring intelligence can be tricky, as there are many different types of intellect. Orangutans are innovative, problem-solvers and can use tools.

13. Orangutans make “umbrellas”

Orangutans in the wild have been observed using large leaves as umbrellas to shield themselves during heavy rainfall.

14. They’re more solitary than other great apes

Unlike the other great apes, which usually live in tightly bonded social groups, orangutans are semi-solitary. Originally, scientists thought that orangutans were solitary, but research has shown that these great apes do occasionally group together and are not as solitary as initially thought by scientists.

15. They’re not silent — just selective

Orangutans are often thought to be quiet, particularly compared to their other great ape cousins. They do however have a variety of vocalisations, such as long-calls, which male orangutans use to attract females and repel other males. These calls can be heard up to one kilometre away!

16. Fruit makes up most of their diet

Fruit is a big part of what orangutans eat and can make up 60% of their diet. Despite favouring fruit, they don’t stick to one type. One study found at orangutans ate over 300 different food types. Alongside fruit, they also eat fungus, insects and leaves.

17. Orangutans are gardeners of the forest

Fruit seeds have adapted to be able to pass through an orangutan’s gut and be able to germinate once they have been excreted. They also help open up the forest canopy by breaking off branches and creating gaps. In doing this, light can pass through, reaching the forest floor, helping it regenerate.

18. Young orangutans stay with their mums for years

Orangutans stay with their mothers for around 7-9 years. In Borneo, orangutan infants aren’t weaned until they are around 5 years old, and in Sumatra, this is around 6 years old. Young orangutans have a lot to learn from their mothers!

19. Females only give birth every 6–9 years

Orangutans have the longest inter-birth interval (the time between infants) of all mammals. These long birth intervals are one of the reasons that orangutans are Critically Endangered as it slows down population recovery.

20. Some males grow cheek pads called flanges

There are two ‘morphs’ (distinct physical and behavioural types) of orangutan males. Some males develop large ‘flanges’ or cheek pads while other males don’t develop these, or only develop them after a long time. These are called ‘unflanged’ males. Flanged males have bigger bodies and an enlarged throat sac compared to unflanged males. Some males can live 20 years unflanged, before developing cheek pads and becoming a flanged male in a few months.

21. Flanged and unflanged males behave differently

Flanged males are dominant over unflanged males, and the two morphs do not get along, usually avoiding each other. The reproductive behaviour of the two morphs is different; females have a preference for flanged males. The bigger throat sac of flanged males helps them make a vocalisation called long calls, which they can use in a “call-and-wait” strategy, with females approaching them. Unflanged males cannot make this call and instead have a “go-and-search” tactic, looking for females to mate with.

22. They walk differently on the ground to other great apes

Orangutans can mainly be found in the trees and are at home in the jungle canopy. When they do come down to the ground, instead of ‘knuckle-walking’ like gorillas or chimpanzees, orangutans walk on the palm of their hands.

23. Orangutans live a long time

Male wild orangutans are estimated to live to around 58 years old, while wild females are estimated to live to around 53 years old. Captive orangutans do not live as long, and the median life expectancy for females is around 28 years old for Borneo orangutans.

24. Each species faces critical threats

Habitat loss poses a huge threat to all three species. In Borneo, rapid deforestation has devasted Bornean Orangutan habitat, alongside forest fires which are also causing significant forest loss, further devasting habitat.

The situation is similar in Sumatra, with large scale deforestation occurring to make way for oil-palm plantations. Surviving forest patches become isolated, making it difficult for orangutans to get enough food to survive.

25. The illegal killing of orangutans is a big threat to populations

In Borneo, the killing of orangutans is a major threat, furthering population declines. Orangutans are killed for meat consumption or to mitigate conflict, as orangutans can be seen as pests, threatening crops. Born Free is committed to protecting orangutans and supports the Orangutan Foundation who are dedicating to saving orangutans and their habitat in Central Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo.

26. Infants are stolen for the illegal pet trade

If a female orangutan is killed and she has a young infant, they are often taken and sold into the illegal pet trade. Kept in unsuitable conditions, the infants are traumatised by the deaths of their mother and being snatched from the wild. Born Free are proud to partner with the Orangutan Foundation who are on the ground in Indonesia, saving and rehabilitating orphaned orangutans who have been rescued from the pet trade. You can help by adopting Timtom.

27. Conservation is crucial

The rescue and rehabilitation of orangutans works. Two entirely new populations of Sumatran orangutans are gradually being established via the reintroduction of confiscated illegal pets; one in and around the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park and one in and around the Jantho Pine Forest Nature Reserve, in Sumatra.

28. Climate change is threatening orangutans

As the climate continues to change, vast portions of orangutan habitat may no longer support their survival. Researchers predict that by 2080, up to 81% of Bornean orangutan habitat could become unsuitable.

29. They’re known to escape enclosures

It is well known among zookeepers that orangutans are master escape artists. An orangutan named Ken Allen became famous in the 1980s for his numerous escapes from San Diego zoo.

30. Orangutans don’t belong in zoos

In zoos, orangutans don’t live as long as they do in the wild. Zoos can’t meet the physical, psychological or social needs of great apes. Read our report, Our Captive Cousins: The Plight of Great Apes in Zoos to find out more.

Orangutans are among our closest living relatives, yet they face the very real threat of extinction. Their survival depends on the actions we take today. By making conscious choices, you can be part of the solution. 

Whether it’s being a responsible traveller, reducing your carbon footprint, raising your voice for conservation, or supporting our work, every action counts. 

Together, we can protect orangutans and ensure a safer, wilder future for them. Adopt an orangutan or donate today—because their future is in our hands.