Orangutans are known as one of the great apes most closely related to humans. With up to 97% DNA similarity, it’s no surprise that their behaviour and intelligence often reflect remarkably human-like traits. On this International Orangutan Day, let’s take a closer look at 10 fascinating facts that highlight how much orangutans resemble us.
1. Orangutans Have “Culture”
Scientists have documented that orangutans have culture—behaviours that are learned and passed down from generation to generation one of them through mother-infant interaction. These include techniques for nest building, using tools, and even using leaves as umbrellas to stay dry during rain. These cultural traits vary depending on the population and the region where they live, much like human cultural diversity.
2. Intelligence on Par with Chimpanzees
Studies have shown that orangutans rank high on the primate intelligence spectrum—on par with chimpanzees and even higher than gorillas. They can understand cause and effect, make plans, and even use basic logic.
3. Orangutans Use Tools—Just Like Humans
One of the most compelling signs of orangutan culture and intelligence is their ability to use tools. In the wild, they have been observed using sticks to extract honey, open spiky fruits, or retrieve insects from tree bark. These problem-solving skills reflect the ingenuity of early humans.
4. Learn by Observing and Imitating
Orangutans are visual learners. They watch and imitate the behaviour of their mothers or other orangutans they perceive as “experts.” Young orangutans, for example, learn how to build nests, find food, and even use tools by watching their mothers.
5. Orangutans Are “Semi-Solitary” Primates
Unlike gorillas, which live in groups, orangutans are considered semi-solitary. However, they still form complex social relationships, especially during certain periods like fruiting seasons or while raising offspring.
6. They Show Empathy and a Desire to Comfort Others
Observations have shown that orangutans can feel empathy. They try to comfort friends who are injured or lonely with hugs or gentle physical contact. This behaviour reflects their high level of emotional sensitivity.
7. A Long Childhood—Just Like Human Children
Young orangutans stay with their mothers for 7–8 years to learn vital survival skills. This is the longest period of dependency among mammals, aside from humans.
8. Orangutans Have Unique Personalities
Like humans, each orangutan has its own personality. Some are shy, others bold; some are social, while others prefer solitude. This individuality reflects emotional complexity and distinct personal traits. Researchers use personality mapping to understand how these traits influence survival.
9. Communicate Through Complex Vocalizations and Gestures
Orangutans use a wide variety of vocalisation, including long calls, hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements to convey specific intentions. This forms an intricate and effective non-verbal communication system.
10. Highly Adaptive to Environmental Changes
Orangutans are incredibly adaptable to changes in food availability. They can eat more than 300 types of food in the wild, including fruits, leaves, bark, and insects. They are also able to recognize when and where specific trees will bear fruit.
Why Does Orangutan Day Matter?
Orangutan Day is a vital moment for us to raise awareness, support forest protection, and advocate for better policies for the survival of this charismatic species. It’s not just about saving a species — it’s about protecting a relative, a fellow great ape, whose fate is deeply intertwined with our planet’s health. Let Orangutan Day be a moment of reflection and action for their future.
Text by: Communication Team, BOS Foundation Headquarters, Bogor, West Java
Sources:
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List
Lameira, A. R., Hardus, M. E., Mielke, A., Wich, S. A., & Shumaker, R. W. (2016). Vocal fold control beyond the species-specific repertoire in an orang-utan. Scientific reports, 6(1), 30315.
Maestripieri, D. (2006). Among Orangutans: Red Apes And The Rise Of Human Culture. By Carel van Schaik. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 2004. 244 pp. ISBN 0-674-01577-0.
Nater, A., Mattle-Greminger, M. P., Nurcahyo, A., Nowak, M. G., De Manuel, M., Desai, T., … & Krützen, M. (2017). Morphometric, behavioral, and genomic evidence for a new orangutan species. Current Biology, 27(22), 3487-3498.
Russon, A. E., Compost, A., Kuncoro, P., & Ferisa, A. (2014). Orangutan fish eating, primate aquatic fauna eating, and their implications for the origins of ancestral hominin fish eating. Journal of Human Evolution, 77, 50-63.
Will you help us rescue, rehabilitate and release orangutans back to freedom? Thank you for helping us save orangutans!
