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Orangutans
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION: The orangutan belongs to the family Pongidae. It is classified as Pongo pygmaeus.
HABITAT:They are found in the lowland jungles on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
DESCRIPTION: They are the largest arboreal, or tree-dwelling, animals in the world. Orangutans have extremely long and powerful arms, which may span up to 8 feet (2.4 meters). Their legs are proportionately smaller and weaker.They are large apes, standing up to 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and weighing as much as 200 pounds (90 kilograms)
The male is twice the size of the female and it has a air sac hanging down from its throat.When it inflates this sac, a loud series of groans can be heard up to a kilometre away. The male as well as the females have reddish brown hair on the arms and the thighs.
The animals travel in small groups during the day, feeding on leaves and fruit, mainly figs. At night they nest in the forks of tall trees on individual platforms built of branches and leaves.
