Orangutans By Paul G.

Physical Characteristics Gray skin and red hair on bodies Long arms and short legs Long fingers and stubby thumbs Adult male: weighs up to 200 pounds/ 4 and a half feet Females weigh about 90 pounds and grow up to 4 feet

Behavioral Characteristics Feel emotions just like humans do. They express emotion through facial expressions. Mothers and babies always stay together until the babies are 4 or 5 years old. Mothers groom their babies by picking through the hair.

Habitat Found in Indonesia on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra Live in tropical rain forests where trees and water are plentiful Build nests out of leaves and branches and sleep in the treetops

Food Preferences They eat fruits, vegetables, leaves, and flowers. They like to eat termites and ants.

Interesting Facts Adult male orangutans use a “long call” that tells other animals where he is. Orangutans living in captivity have learned how to use sign language with humans. Each orangutan is unique in appearance and personality.