Pongo Pygmaeus, or the Orangutan, is a modern primate of the
sub-Order Athropoidea, infra-Order Catarrhini, super-Family
Hominoidea, Family Pongidae, and sub-Family Ponginea. The
Orangutan is native to tropical rainforests, swamp forests, and
mountain forests of up to 2,000 meters. On average, an adult
Orangutan weighs around 86 kilograms, and a female about 38
kilograms. Orangutans exhibit a large degree of sexual
dimorphism which may be the cause for the distinction in weight
between the males and females, since males are greatly
competitive with one another for mates. Males also have two
physiological distinctions: they have flaps of fatty tissue
hanging from the sides of their face which develops in
adulthood, and they also have throat sacs which enhance their
ability to produce vocal calls both for attracting a mate and to
declare territory. Orangutans consume insects, some small
vertebrates, and a wide variety of natural vegetation. They also
consume soil to increase the minerals in their diet. Pongo Py