Orangutan Fun for Kids

Orangutans are amazing animals with long arms and reddish-brown hair. They are some of the smartest animals in the world and love to swing from tree to tree in the jungle. These gentle apes are fun to learn about and are part of the Alphabetimals Animal Dictionary. Let’s discover all the fun facts about Orangutans!

Watch an Orangutan in Action!

Want to see what an Orangutan looks like in real life? Watch this video to see an Orangutan move, eat, and play in the trees. It’s fun and great for kids!

What is an Orangutan?

Orangutans are large, tree-dwelling apes that are part of the great ape family. They are very smart and can even use tools!

• They are mammals, just like people.
• They have long arms that help them swing in trees.
• Orangutans are covered in reddish-brown hair.
• They live most of their lives in the trees.
• They can live to be over 30 years old in the wild!

Where do Orangutans live?

Orangutans live in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia. They are only found on two islands in the world!

• They live in Borneo and Sumatra.
• They like warm, wet forests with lots of tall trees.
• They build nests high up in the trees to sleep.

What do Orangutans eat?

Orangutans love eating fruit, but they eat other things too!

• Fruits like bananas and figs are their favorite.
• They also eat leaves, bark, and flowers.
• Sometimes they eat bugs like ants or termites.
• They find most of their food in the trees.

How big is an Orangutan?

Orangutans are big, but not as big as gorillas!

• Adult males can be about as tall as a 6-year-old child when standing (about 4.5 feet or 1.4 meters).
• Males can weigh as much as 200 pounds (90 kilograms).
• Females are smaller and weigh about 100 pounds (45 kilograms).
• Their arms can stretch out longer than most kids are tall—up to 7 feet (2.1 meters)!

What sound do Orangutans make?

Orangutans can make lots of different sounds to talk to each other. Some sounds are loud and booming, and others are soft and quiet.

Cool Orangutan facts

Here are some fun and interesting facts about Orangutans that kids will love!

• “Orangutan” means “person of the forest” in the Malay language.
• They are the only great apes that live in Asia.
• They can use sticks to get bugs out of holes.
• Each night, they build a new nest in the trees to sleep in.
• They can live to be more than 50 years old in zoos!
• Orangutans are great climbers but move slowly on the ground.
• Baby Orangutans stay with their moms for up to 8 years!
• They are very quiet and peaceful animals.

Printables and coloring fun

Let’s have fun with Orangutans by coloring and playing online!

• Download Orangutan Coloring Page (PDF)

Orangutans in the eco-system

Orangutans are important animals that help the forest grow by spreading seeds. But they need help because there are not many left in the wild.

• They spread seeds from the fruits they eat, helping new trees grow.
• They keep the forest healthy for other animals too.
• There are fewer than 120,000 Orangutans left in the wild.
• They are endangered because forests are being cut down.

Ask a grown-up to help you learn more

Here are some great websites where you can learn even more about Orangutans. Ask a grown-up to help you explore them!

• National Geographic Kids: Orangutans
• World Wildlife Fund: Orangutan
• Britannica Kids: Orangutan

Fun questions about Orangutans

Ways to donate and support Orangutans

Orangutans need our help to protect their homes and keep them safe. You can support them by learning more, sharing what you know, and donating to help save the rainforest.

Donate to Save the Orangutans