Did you know orangutans get thirsty too?
Each day, our team of 9 field assistants carry around small video cameras in their backpack so that they are always ready to record interesting orangutan behaviors. This is the inspiration behind the new series we’re starting “Did You Know…?” where we will showcase some of these fascinating behaviors.
Today’s focus – drinking! Orangutans are rarely observed drinking water, as they typically stay hydrated from the fruits they eat all day long. But sometimes, we catch a glimpse of orangutans drinking water from tree holes, wet leaves, or puddles on the ground.
In this first clip, Field Research Assistant, Toto, captured Walimah, the orangutan, drinking water from a tree hole while very pregnant. At the beginning, Walimah dives head first into the pool of water, but soon realizes her belly is in the way. Next, she turns upside down to try and get at a better angle. She eventually resorts to using her hand to cup water and drip it down her fingers into her bottom lip, chucking some wet leaves out of the way every so often.
This next video, taken by Field Assistant Yogi, shows an adult female named Bibi drinking water from a swampy puddle on the ground. This was a doubly exciting observation as orangutans at Gunung Palung National Park infrequently come down from the trees, especially females. Watch on as Bibi leans down to get water and swish it around in her mouth for a while before swallowing.
Stayed tuned for more videos like these from our new Did You Know series!