The Orangutan is a large ape of the order Primate and the
family Hominidae. The word "orangutan" means "man of the forest." They live in
the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra.
Distinguishing features of the orangutan include reddish
brown fur, the ability to walk upright and the fact they are the largest tree
dwelling animal on the planet. They have very long limbs, a thick neck and no
tail. Like humans, the orangutan has four fingers and an opposable thumb on
each hand. They walk on their fists and not their knuckles like most other
apes.
Orangutans eat a large amount of fruit but they consumer
over 300 different foods including leaves, shoots, eggs and honey. They sleep
in large nests up in the trees and when they are really hungry they eat tree
bark in order to survive.
Orangutans are considered an endangered species with the
population in Sumatra considered to be in critical
status.