Orangutans are one of the most well-known throughout the world and popular types of apes.Scientists consider them, along with gorillas and chimpanzees, one of the most close to human animals.Currently, we only know two kinds of red apes - orangutans and Sumatran Bornean.In this article we consider in detail only the first one.
orangutan or Orang-utan?
Some people believe that the pronunciation and spelling of the name of this monkey is entirely down to one single option - "orangutan".Even word processors Microsoft «missing» the word, while the word "orangutan" underlined in red.However, this is an erroneous writing.
The fact that the language of the people living on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan, "orangutan" - is the debtor and "orangutan" - the forest people, the forest dweller.That is why preference should be given to the second variant of the name of the beast, despite the fact that some editors still "consider" writing it wrong.
Where usual this monkey?
Sumatran Orangutan, a photo which you can see in this article, lives across the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan.However, the vast majority of these monkeys found in northern Sumatra.Their favorite habitat is the tropical rainforests and jungles.
Sumatran orangutan.Description of species
believed that these apes have their African counterparts - the gorillas.Maybe so, but that monkey traits in orangutans is much more pronounced than those of gorillas.For example, the front limbs in a red monkey very long, and the rear - much shorter than their African counterparts.Hands and feet with long curved toes have orangutans play the role of original hooks.
With his crooked fingers Sumatran orangutan easily clings to branches and tear tasty, but we'll discuss this later.Unfortunately, for the most complex actions of his limbs are not suited.As for the size of these monkeys, the adult males orangutan its dimensions are inferior gorillas, and they weigh less.Sumatran orangutan, the weight of which does not exceed 135 kilograms, can reach a height of only 130 centimeters.
However, if you do not compare the size with the size of gorillas orangutans, it is pretty impressive apes: the length of their arms in scope - 2.5 meters, and the trunk - a massive and dense, completely overgrown with red hair hanging in shreds.Sumatran orangutan, whose head has a round face with swollen cheeks, turning into a fun "beard", publishes and original sounds, which we know further.
Why "groan" Sumatran orangutan?
researchers observe the behavior and lifestyle of Sumatran orangutans have noticed that these monkeys are constantly and sighs heavily.Once the famous zoologist and professor Nikolai Drozdov, studying these animals in one of his television said: "He groans like an old man in pain.But he was not an old man, and he was not hurt.He - an orangutan. "
Curiously, throat pouch inflated in these animals, like a ball, making squishing sounds, gradually turning into a deep guttural groaning.These sounds can not be confused with any other.You can hear them even a kilometer!
Lifestyle orangutans
average life expectancy of these animals - about 30 years, the maximum - 60 years.These red "old" prefer to live alone.If you ever happen to meet a small group of Sumatran orangutans, then know that this is not a clan of monkeys, but only the female with their offspring.Incidentally, females, meeting each other, try to separate as soon as possible, pretending that they do not see each other.
As for males, the situation is, of course, more complicated.Every adult Sumatran orangutan has its own territory in which live several females.The fact that the males of these monkeys - polygamous creatures and prefer to have at its disposal a harem.The owner of the territory with loud cries warn strangers wandered in his possession.If the alien is not going away, the showdown begins.
There is a very unusual way.Both orangutan, as if on command, rush to the nearest tree and they begin to shake convulsively.This is reminiscent of a real circus: shaking trees, foliage with their falls, and heart-rending cries are heard throughout the county.This view goes on for quite a long time until one of the opponents will not hand over my nerves.Usually the loser male Sumatran orangutan and order breaks throat gets tired.
main part of the life of red monkeys runs exclusively on the trees.They sleep as high above the ground, pre-arranging themselves comfortable bed.It is worth noting that the Sumatran orangutan - it's pretty peaceful animal.However, as we already know, this principle does not apply to their relatives: the fight for territory between them occur on a regular basis.
The feed these monkeys?
In principle, the Sumatran orangutan (photos of the monkeys usually cause a lot of impressions) - a vegetarian.So they are happy to regale mangoes, plums, bananas, figs.
Due to the incredible strength and other physical data of these monkeys is quite deftly climb the tallest tropical trees on the island for a favorite treat - mango.If, for example, the upper branches of trees, thin, red anthropoid ape impressive size quietly sits in the middle of the crown, the branches bending down to him.Unfortunately, it is the tree itself is harmful: the branches break and wither.
Orangutans living on the island of Kalimantan, quickly gaining weight.And because summer is here - a favorable time for the red "forest dwellers."The abundance of a variety of tropical fruits, not only allows the monkeys to gain weight quickly, but also to store fat in the rainy season, when you have to eat only bark and leaves.
population of orangutans
As mentioned above, in nature there are two kinds of monkeys: Bornean orangutan and Sumatran.The number of animals in the last 75 years, unfortunately decreased 4 times.The main factors negatively affecting their population are:
- permanent pollution;
- illegal capture and sale of young animals.
Moreover, the population of these animals is highly dependent on the state of the tropics, where they live.That is why should stop widespread felling of jungle and tropical forests, which leads to the death of orangutans.Currently, these monkeys there are only about 5000 individuals.If time does not take action to protect them, they may disappear from the face of the earth forever.
