Curious About Orangutans
Fun Facts for Families
Their name means "person of the forest" and they share 96.4% of our genes.
Found in Borneo & Sumatra
Orangutans are beautiful unique mammals that spend most of their lives in trees. Of the four great apes, they are the only one to come from Asia.
Common Name
Latin Name
IUCN Status
Animal Grouping
Diet
Height
Weight
Orangutan
Pongo
Critically Endangered
Mammal
Omnivore: lychee, mangosteens, figs, bark plants, insects, termites, birds…
Females up to 1.2 meter, Males up to 1.5 meters
Females 48-52 kg, Males 93-130kg
Mother like no other...
Other than humans, Orangutans are the only known animals to have as close a bond as they do with their young...
1. Carry them close
Orangutan mothers will carry their infants for the first 5 years of their life.
2. Co-sleepers
Mother orangutans sleep with their young up until they are 8 years old.
3. Feeding bond
Mothers will suckle their young until they are as old as six or seven
INTERNATIONAL Orangutan Day
19th August
To celebrate and raise awareness to help the orangutan, I’ve included a variety of resources that have already been created by other groups to support your home learning and conservation education.
INTERNATIONAL Wolf Day
12th August
Keep reading below to find out more amazing facts about the lives of the Ethiopian wolf.
There's a rang-tan in my room
Did you ever come across the story of rang-tan? Watch this video read by Emma Thompson and learn about why these beautiful giant apes are at risk and how we can help them.
Websites to visit...
There is so much information out there if we choose to look for it...
The orangutan project
Click here to blurb here…
International Orangutan Foundation
Founded by Dr Biruke Mary Galdikas, the IOF has over 50 years experience in the field. Click here to find out more
Sumatran Orangutan Society
Click here to learn more about a small agency making a big impact, founded by the late Lucy Wisdom.
Bornean Orangutan Survival UK
OZI: Voice of the forest
My son’s and I went to see Ozi: Voice of the Forest this weekend and it was amazing! It’s an incredibly powerful film that I hope you will share with your family and friends. The message is clear and so important.
Please note it’s a PG rating, children under 4/5 will probably struggle with this film. My 6 year old really enjoyed it.
Orangutan Conservancy
Orangutan conservancy have created some free guides and activity pages. Please browse through here in case there is something that will support your home learning journey.
Nurture their curiosity
This is the place to come to get extra activities to nurture and enrich what you are doing with your children at home.
Below are some FREE and EXCLUSIVE activities you can get through My Curious Library.