Why do the orangutans put burlap over their heads?

Orangutans in the wild put large leaves over their heads to protect themselves from the rain. They have also been known to put leafy branches over their heads to protect their faces when they try to get honey out of a bee’s hive. The zoo’s orangutans put burlap over their heads for similar reasons; protection from rain and shade from the sun. The zoo’s orangutans also use burlap bags to provide warmth when it is cold by putting them over their shoulders or setting them on the ground to insulate themselves from the damp earth. Additionally, the orangutans also cover their heads and bodies with burlap when they are trying to sleep and want quiet and privacy. Finally, they like to play with burlap and carry the bags around. This seems to give them a sense of security and comfort.

 

Why does the big one’s face look like that?

An adult male orangutan has secondary sexual characteristics that are like a man’s beard. They only get these features when they reach sexual maturity at around 15 to 20 years old. The fatty growths (protuberances) around the eyes are called "cheek pads." It is thought that these may protect the male’s face and eyes from injury during male-to-male aggression (males have huge canine teeth). Or, they may be an adaptation to project the sound farther when a male makes his "long call" or territorial call.

 

The other unusual feature of the male orangutan’s face is the large sac under their chin. This sac is called a "throat pouch" and fills up with air when the male is making his long call which sounds like a loud roar and carries .62 miles (1 km) in the rain forest. This call is used to attract females and to warn other males to stay out of his territory.

 

What are the objects the orangutans are holding?

The objects are replicas of a durian fruit. Durians grow in Southeast Asia and are considered a favorite fruit of orangutans. These artificial durians were created from a latex mold by zoo staff. They are filled with a variety of treats such as pumpkin, jam, applesauce or peanut butter. It is challenging for the orangutans to scrape the contents out from the inside in order to eat it.

 

Why do some of the orangutans like to look closely into the visitors eyes?

The big adult twins, Towan and Chinta, and the female Melati were all raised in a nursery by humans. For this reason, these orangutans have a greater interest in people and enjoy "visiting" with them. They especially like young children and visitors who come on a regular basis. The orangutans get to know and recognize these people over time. As long as someone does not directly stare at them in an aggressive manner, the orangutans like this close and intimate contact with people.