Orangutans are found in Indonesia on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. These apes were once widespread throughout mainland Asia during the Pleistocene, most recent period of glaciations lasting from 1.65 million to 10,000 years ago.
Orangutans prefer a habitat that exists along waterways and in lowlands because of their high dependence on fruit.
Biologists have described their habitats as inaccessible, swamp logged, leech-laden tropical forests.
The islands of Borneo and Sumatra have vast mountain ranges and Orangutans are rarely seen in elevations that exceed 500 meters.
An Orangutan's normal habitat is the tropical rainforest that is dominated by trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae, which interestingly enough, is also becoming endangered in parts of the world.
In Sumatra, Orangutans are entirely arboreal because of large predators (such as tigers, leopards) patrol the forest floor.
Borneo contains fewer large predators so males will travel Terrestrially, spend their time on the ground and feed on the ground.
Females will remain in the trees because of their smaller size.
In traveling through trees, Orangutans have shown intelligence by using common routes and showing the ability to back track to their original route if need be.
Orangutans are slow and deliberate animals and their movement in the trees reflects this.
It has also been seen that Orangutans can occupy peat swamp forest in addition to tropical forest.
Their habitat mainly reflects areas where the greatest majority of food is located and areas that will give them the most protection.
Orangutans prefer a habitat that exists along waterways and in lowlands because of their high dependence on fruit.
Biologists have described their habitats as inaccessible, swamp logged, leech-laden tropical forests.
The islands of Borneo and Sumatra have vast mountain ranges and Orangutans are rarely seen in elevations that exceed 500 meters.
An Orangutan's normal habitat is the tropical rainforest that is dominated by trees of the family Dipterocarpaceae, which interestingly enough, is also becoming endangered in parts of the world.
In Sumatra, Orangutans are entirely arboreal because of large predators (such as tigers, leopards) patrol the forest floor.
Borneo contains fewer large predators so males will travel Terrestrially, spend their time on the ground and feed on the ground.
Females will remain in the trees because of their smaller size.
In traveling through trees, Orangutans have shown intelligence by using common routes and showing the ability to back track to their original route if need be.
Orangutans are slow and deliberate animals and their movement in the trees reflects this.
It has also been seen that Orangutans can occupy peat swamp forest in addition to tropical forest.
Their habitat mainly reflects areas where the greatest majority of food is located and areas that will give them the most protection.
"Their area in Sumatra and Indonesia become smaller everyday! Why? Because humans chop down the trees. Hey! Don't do that! We can take another option which is use the 3R's concept, which is Reuse, Reduce and Recyle in our daily life. These are low cost steps. We can save an orangutan's life besides saving our money!"
Thanks to : bioweb
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