Key Points
- Orangutans were once found all across south-east Asia and south of China, however, they are now found only in Sumatra and Borneo.
- There are over 2000 Orangutans found in the deep mountainous jungle of Borneo, living in close quarters.
- Orangutans are one of the most intelligent primates and can successfully use tools, build sleeping nest and even mastered the American sign language.
Orangutans are known to be the giant giants of the jungle but wild orangutans are becoming rarer and rarer as forest fires and palm plantations have decreased the orangutans natural habitat and led to sever population declines.
Scientists believe that there are approximately 50,000 orangutans left in the wild, most of which are found on the Indonesian island of Borneo. Orangutans are only also found on the neighboring island of Sumatra, where they live in nests in the dense tropical jungle.
©Alex East/Shutterstock.com
Despite the constant demise of the wild orangutan population, scientists have found a reclusive orangutan habitat in an inaccessible mountainous region deep in the Borneo jungle. There are thought to be up to 2,000 orangutan individuals coexisting in an area just a few kilometres square.
©tristan tan/Shutterstock.com
For more information about wild orangutans, please see:
Next Up…
- 7 Prehistoric Primates You Should Know About: Here are some primate species that have gone extinct.
- Ape vs. Gorilla: The Main Differences Explained: Are apes and gorillas same? Find out the differences and similarities in these two primates.
- Critically Endangered Species: If you want to know about the endangered species around the globe, read this.
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Sources
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
- Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
- David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
- Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
- David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
- Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
