Sumatran Orangutan

scientific name

Pongo pygmaeus abelii

size/weight/height

Weight: male 130 - 200 lbs. " female 90 - 120 lbs.
Height: male 4.5 - 5' " female 3'8"
males much larger than females (sexual dimorphism)

adaptations/coloration

Color: fur shaggy red " male face flanges dark
Feet: similar to hands " used for grasping
Arms: long
Brain: large " highly intelligent
Laryngeal Sacs: large " used for long-distance calls
Posture: erect for brachiation

behavior

diurnal " arboreal (old males mostly ground-living)
Face Flaps: male use in dominance display
Personality: alone except when mating or mother with young " solitary due to dispersion of food resources
Nests: built for sleeping

reproduction/lifespan

Lifespan: wild 35 yrs " captivity 50 yrs
Birth Interval: 7-8 yrs
Gestation: 233-265 days
Young: 1 " twins rare " nurse maximum 3 yrs

diet

Wild: eggs, fruit, insects, leaves, small invertebrates & young shoots
Zoo: Monkey Chow, fruits & vegetables

habitat/range

lowland " hilly tropical rain forest " Southeast Asia (Borneo & Sumatra)

status

U.S. Endangered " CITES App I " due to habitat destruction " SSP " studbook participant " Great Ape TAG

note

two distinct sub-species - Bornean & Sumatran; we have Sumatran " The two sub-species are genetically quite different & managed (bred) separately

oregon zoo exhibit

Primates

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