Growing up isn't easy

That's why infants are so needy

There is a lot of work to do

For a baby to get big like you

Orangutan babies also start off small

They even learn how to crawl

There are many interesting features

That make up these magnificent creatures

But a couple of the more important things to know

Are that orangutans are great apes and they take a fairly long time to grow

Orangutans can be found in Southeast Asia

In the rain forests of two small islands called Borneo and Sumatra

There are 3 different species: Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli

Each of these species is endangered, so their survival we cannot guarantee 

Orangutans live in the areas shaded with yellow

Baby orangutans are quite special

As their long learning curve determines their mother's schedule

Female orangutans give birth every 7 to 9 years

The longest interbirth interval of any land mammal far and near

Offspring spend 7 to 10 years with their mother, who goes above and beyond

While their fathers live alone and do not form a bond

The babies grow inside of their mothers about 8 and a half months

A mother usually only has one baby at a time instead of a bunch

Mothers typically give birth up high in their nest

Which they build in the trees as a place to rest

These nests can be more than 30 meters off of the ground

And cannot have any cracks or the baby might fall back down

This mother is pregnant!

This is an orangutan nest

A newborn orangutan is completely dependent on their mother

They cannot lift their head to look from one side to the other

Weighing about 3.3 to 4.5 pounds

A newborn needs help getting around

They are covered in wrinkles, have little hair, and no teeth

Newborns are cleaned by their mother, then given their first thing to eat

Baby orangutans rely only on milk from their mother until they are 3 months old

But they will still nurse until they are up to 7 years old!

At 3 months a baby will start to eat fruit too

Their mother will mash it up first, until they can easily chew

Orangutans are known for swinging through the trees from branch to branch

But babies are not big enough to take that chance

Orangutan babies have a firm grip that can support their body weight

So they hold on tight to their mother’s chest while she travels from place to place

When a young orangutan becomes better at balancing

It will ride on their mother's back piggy-back style as she is traveling

A mother sometimes carries their offspring until they are 5 years old

When they are able to swing through the trees with control