Why Do Orangutan Moms Stay with Young So Long?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why do orangutan moms stay with young so long?

The Big Idea

Orangutan moms stay with their young for so long because there is a lot to learn! Orangutans live in the treetops, and life up there is complicated. Mom is the main teacher.

Treetop Life

Step one: treetop life. Orangutans live in the treetops, and they need to learn many skills. They learn which fruits are safe, where to find them, and how to build a nest.

Six to Eight Years

Step two: a very long childhood. A young orangutan stays with its mother for six to eight years. That is longer than any other ape mother and young.

Teaching by Example

Step three: teaching by example. During that time, she teaches by example, and the baby watches and copies. Long childhoods help animals with complex lives.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Mom carries her baby through the trees. The baby watches everything she does. It learns which fruits are good to eat. And it learns to build a nest high up to sleep. School is in the treetops.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Mother orangutans are the main teachers. Orangutans live on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Their name means person of the forest in Malay. Wild orangutans are best seen from far away, with a grown-up and a guide.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! List three things you are still practicing that take years to get good at. It could be reading, swimming, or an instrument. Write them down. Why can it take so long to learn complicated skills?

Outro

Orangutan moms teach their young for many years. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!