Animals Unique | Bornean orang-utan | Bornean orang-utan Classification and EvolutionThe Bornean orang-utan is a large primate species found inhabiting That is the humid tropical jungles of Borneo. Also known as the Red Ape, the Bornean orang-utan ape is the second largest species in the world (after the Gorilla) and is the largest tree-dwelling animal on the planet.
Although the Bornean orang-utan is closely related to the great apes found in Africa, They differ greatly in their behavior with the biggest difference being That the Bornean orang-utan is largely solitary growing niche where other ape species to the aim of adopting complex social hierarchies. Until recently there was thought to only be one orang-utan species, but recent genetic research has shown there is in fact That two species of orang-utan the which are the Bornean orang-utan and the Sumatran orang-utan, the which is slightly smaller in size and tends to be more than Sociable it's larger cousin. There are Considered to be three different sub-species of the Bornean orang-utan, the which although are similar in appearance, are differentiated by the areas of the island That They occupy. They are the Northwest Bornean orang-utan, the Central Bornean orang-utan and the Northeast Bornean orang-utan.Bornean orang-utan Anatomy and AppearanceThe Bornean orang-utan is covered in red or orange Patchy it's coarse hair with gray skin being visible in some places. As They are largely arboreal Mammals, the Bornean orang-utan has a number of adaptations That help it when in the canopy Including having feet That can grip as Effectively as it's hands, and arms That can grow to a span of more than two meters and are actually 30% longer than Their legs. The face of the Bornean orang-utan is bare and displays the gray or black color of Their skin. Mature lazy fleshy cheek pouches also develop the which are made up of fat deposits under the skin, along with throat poaches That are Able to Produce a deep, resonating sound through the forest.
Both male and female Bornean People-utans are specially designed for opening and eating fruits with dexterous hands and feet for peeling and large flat teeth to grind down That help harder seeds and tree bark.Bornean orang-utan Distribution and HabitatThe Bornean orang-utan is natively found on the island of Borneo where it inhabits areas of dense primary forest, Mainly in the lowlands and valleys. Although They can be found at elevations of up to 1.500 meters to growing niche They prefer the lush slopes down further due to the higher Abundance and variety of food. Although the Bornean orang-utan (and indeed the Sumatran orang-utan) were once widespread throughout south-east Asia, They are today confined to the two islands named after but the which They are seriously vulnerable in their natural surroundings due to logging and forest fires the which have decimated much of the vast once Their native regions. Due to the fact That the Bornean orang-utan spends nearly all of it's life high in the tree canopy, They rely on these dense and rich jungles to survive and with less and less of Their natural habitats remaining, They are being forced into more smaller and more isolated regions away from the Increasing levels of human activity.Bornean orang-utan Behaviour and LifestyleUnlike the other great ape species, the Bornean orang-utan is largely solitary with the exception of mother and infant pairs and the gathering of a number of individuals around Heavily laden fruit trees. Bornean People-utans spend much of Their days sitting and eating in the canopy before constructing a nest by folding over Leafy branches, where They sleep at night. Bornean People-utans move SLOWLY through the steamy forests and as They are too heavy to jump, They rely on tree branches swinging back and forth until They can get close enough to grab onto the next one.
Despite only traveling just over half a mile a day, Bornean People-utans can occupy the vast home ranges That are loosely shared with other individuals having lazy with breeding rights with any female enters That Their patch, marking Their presence with deep, loud calls the which echo through the trees.Bornean orang-utan Reproduction and Life CyclesThe Bornean orang-utan is known to breed year round but these slow-developing and maturing animals are not Able to reproduce until Often They are nearly 15 years old. After a gestation period That Lasts for up to 9 months, the female Bornean orang-utan Gives birth to a single infant clings onto the which it's mother's fur and is completely dependent on her for up to 10 years. Despite the young Bornean People-utans being weaned when They are around three years old, Their offspring continue to shadow the mother so as to learn about what to eat and where to find it and also for safety. Eventually leaving her territory to Establish Their Own They are at least when eight years old, Females young growing niche to REMAIN close to Their mother whereas lazy young can roam the forest for a long time before They finally find a patch of Their Own. The Bornean growing niche utans to live for up to 35 years in the wild but can reach almost double That age in captivity.Bornean orang-utan Diet and PreyThe Bornean orang-utan is technically an omnivorous animal That means the which They find and eat a variety of both plant and animal matter. Despite this, Bornean People-utans love fruit with around 60% of Their diet being comprised of a wide variety of both RIPE and unripe fruits Including mangoes, durian, figs and lychees. In the Tropics though, bare trees Their different fruits at different times of the year so-utans Bornean People must make a mental note of where the fruit trees are and when Their fruits ripen.
In order to supplement Their diet though, Bornean People-utans also eat a range of plant matter Including young shoots and leaves along with insects, eggs and small vertebrates Such as Lizards on occasion. Although in areas where Their is a rich and abundant supply of food Bornean People-utans are known to congregate together to feed, one of the Reasons why They are so solitary is that? If They lived together in a group in one area, there simply would not be enough food to go around.Bornean orang-utan Predators and ThreatsHistorically Bornean People-utans would hardly ever come down to the ground in fear of being preyed upon by large carnivores like Tigers, Bears and Clouded Leopards but with the extinction of the Tiger particularly throughout much of the island are known to lazy to spend around 5% of Their time on the forest floor. However, 40.000 years ago a new threat emerged in the form of Modern Humans That hunted the Bornean orang-utan to extinction in Numerous parts of the vast natural Their range once. Today They are protected by law but Infants are still captured for the exotic pet trade and the mothers are killed in the process Often. The biggest threat to Borneo's remaining though orang-utan habitat loss Populations is in the form of deforestation for logging or to clear land for farming and agriculture, primarily to the make way for Palm Oil Plantations.Bornean orang-utan Interesting Facts and FeaturesThe male Bornean People That sound-utans make to mark Their Their territories comes from developing throat pouch and is so booming That it can travel for more than a mile throughout the forest, to not only attract but also to intimate Females rivals lazy.
People-utans are unique amongst arboreal great apes as Their lifestyle has led to Their Limbs having more mobility than other species, allowing them to negotiate the tricky branches around more easily. In the same way however to other great ape species, Bornean People-utans have bee observed using tools to help them in their daily lives. Seemingly dependent on where the individual lives, skills are passed onto Their Infants from mothers with sticks being used to extract Termites and honey and even large leaves are used as a form of umbrella to keep the Bornean orang-utan dry.Bornean orang-utan Relationship with HumansSince Their arrival in south-east Asia Humans have been fascinated modern by this slow-moving and majestic mammal with Their name in the native Malay language meaning "man of the forest" or "forest people". Bornean People-utans are remarkably similar to us both in their appearance and behavior with these highly intelligent creatures having evolved perfectly to Their tropical, tree-dwelling lives. However, the hunting of the Bornean orang-utan and the deforestation of the vast once it's natural habitat has led to drastic declines in their population numbers, particularly over the past century. Often adults are killed if They are seen in or close to when looking for food Plantations and Their young are captured to be sold into the exotic pet trade, Despite Their heavy legal protection.Bornean orang-utan Conservation Status and Life TodayToday, the Bornean orang-utan is listed by the IUCN as a species is Endangered That in it's natural environment and is therefore severely Threatened from extinction in the near future. The loss of Their historic, unique and incredibly bio-Diverse habitats has led to a 92% drop in their population numbers in the past 100 years and if Things continue the way They are going, it will not be long before They have disappeared from the forever wild. Rehabilitation Programmes exist throughout the island and so far seem to be having relative success but with deforestation (now even in protected areas) for logging and to clear land to make-way for Palm Oil Plantations, population numbers can only be expected to continue to fall.
Bornean orang-utan Facts Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: mammals Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus: Pongo Scientific Name: Pongo pygmaeus Common Name: Bornean orang-utan Other Name (s): Red Ape, Forest People Group: Mammal Number Of Species: 3 Location: Borneo Habitat: Lowland forest and peat-swamps Colour: Red, Orange, Brown, Grey, Black Skin Type: Hair Size (H): 1.25m - 1.5m (4ft - 5ft) Weight: 30kg - 90kg (66lbs - 200lbs) Top Speed: 6kph (2.7mph) Diet: omnivore Prey: Fruits, Bark, Insects Predators: Human, Tiger, Clouded Leopard Lifestyle: Diurnal Group Behaviour: Solitary Life Span: 30-40 years Age Of Sexual Maturity: 12-15 years Gestation Period: 9 months Average Litter Size: 1 Name Of Young: Infant Of Weaning Age: 3 years Conservation Status: Endangered Estimated Population Size: 13.500 Biggest Threat: Habitat loss Most Distinctive Feature: Highly intelligent with very long arms Fun Fact: Known to use large leaves as umbrellas!
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