Orangutans are a species of great ape that is native to Indonesia and Malaysia. They are the only species of great ape that is entirely arboreal, meaning that they live their entire lives in trees. Orangutans are highly intelligent and are known for their use of tools and their ability to learn human language.
The orangutan is the only extant member of the genus Pongo. The orangutan is an arboreal creature, spending most of its time in trees.
The orangutan is thought to have evolved in Asia, with its earliest ancestors appearing in China some 15 million years ago. The orangutan is believed to have migrated to Indonesia and Malaysia around 10 million years ago.
The orangutan was first described by Europeans in the early 17th century. The word "orangutan" is derived from the Malay and Indonesian words for "man of the forest".
The orangutan is a critically endangered species, with its population having declined by over 50% in the last 60 years. The main threats to the orangutan are habitat loss and hunting.
