Read on Twitter
Today is International #OrangutanDay, which means it's time to celebrate these ginger beauties! Orangutans are great apes, just like humans, and they live rich and complex lives.
A thread 1/6
#animals #nature @ArcusGreatApes @ASPvoice @IPS_PrimateNews @graspunep
A thread 1/6
#animals #nature @ArcusGreatApes @ASPvoice @IPS_PrimateNews @graspunep
Currently, orangutans can only be found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, in SE Asia, but historically they lived throughout much of mainland Asia. In the wild, adults are largely solitary, although females hang out with their kids, who remain dependent for up to 8 years!
2/6
2/6
Orangs are a prime example of an animal with a slow life history: babes require this long period of dependence to fully develop, including lots of time for the brain and mind to grow and learn. Accordingly, moms only have a kid every 6-8 years. And adults can live to be 60!
3/6
3/6
Orangutans are avid tool-users and they have distinct material cultures that differ between populations! In captivity, orangs have shown remarkable problem-solving skills. They even save tools for future use!
4/6
4/6
As one of our closest relatives and among the most clever animals, orangutans have much to teach us about human & ape evolution & animal minds. Unfortunately, they are also highly endangered, facing grave threats from deforestation (e.g., for palm oil plantations) and hunting
5/6
5/6
You can help save orangutans by avoiding products that are made with palm oil, spreading the word about these stunning creatures and their conservation plight, and contributing to the organizations working tirelessly to save them in the wild!
6/6
6/6
