I was looking for an intelligent species to round out my sci fi world building. And as it turns out, there are many animals that are considered intelligent. But when it comes to studying that intelligence, humans tend to focus on animals we identify with. There’s no wonder that apes have been studied so extensively.
There are even ranking systems for great ape intelligence. And orangutans are ranked below humans as the smartest of the apes. But why them? What distinguishes orangutan intelligence?
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Basic Orangutan Facts
Before talking specifically about orangutan intelligence, let’s review the basics of orangutans.
LIke all great apes, orangutans are tailless primates with well-developed forearms and robust bodies. Their characteristic reddish brown hair is known for being shaggy and covering their entire bodies, except the face. Ranging in size from 1.25–1.5m/ / 4–5ft. and 30–90kg. / 66–200lbs, they’re built kind of like a stout human with really long arms.
Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, there are currently three known species of orangutan. Part of the hominidae family, this critically endangered primate shares many traits with humans including: flattened nails, omnivorous diets, and complex social behavior.
As for orangutan intelligence, they are capable of communicating both past and future events. Additionally, they are able to affect their environments through tool use as well as exchange knowledge with others.
Orangutan Communication
Orangutans are primarily solitary, but communication is necessary when they choose to gather. For instance, it is common for females to gather when fruit is abundant. Similarly, mother’s care for their children for several years before they reach independence.
Orangutan communication is similar, in some ways, to that of humans. However, the physiological differences mean that orangutans cannot construct complex vocalizations in the same way most humans can. For this reason, orangutan vocalizations are limited. In fact, scientists have only recorded about a dozen common vocalizations
However, orangutans are known to gesture to supplement any need to communicate more complex ideas. And, when around humans, their vocabulary of gestures increases significantly. Some individuals have become famous for learning sign language–including one who, not knowing the sign for “ketchup,” signed that he wanted “tomato toothpaste” at mealtime.
Because many animals communicate, scientists look for stronger intelligence markers such as the ability to make displaced reference (i.e. reference the past). With orangutans, displaced referential language has been observed with mothers who encounter a threat, but wait as much as 20 minutes after the threat has passed to tell their child about it.
Scientists theorize that communication about a danger that has passed makes the young orangutan aware of an event that they would otherwise discount–thereby teaching the child to beware of any similar danger in the future.
Orangutan Tool Use
Tool use is also thought to be a sign of intelligence. It can be a learned behavior, and it's one that orangutans learn very quickly.
Observed in their natural habitat, orangutans use sticks as levers to procure seeds from their favorite fruit, which is known for its prickly exterior. And because entire groups of orangutans have been seen exhibiting this behavior, orangutan tool use is thought to be a socially learned behavior. One individual using one tool is an anomaly; an entire community following their lead is a sign of learning–and, therefore, higher intelligence.
So, scientists wondered, If orangutan tool use has already developed in their natural environment, what more could be learned in controlled conditions.
What they found was that orangutans can make complex economic decisions about tool use. For example, not only do they learn how to use new tools, but they weigh their options when given the choice to eat their favorite food by using their new tool or to eat a less favored food without needing to spend the time and energy on using that tool first.
Intelligent and intriguing, orangutan tool use and choices are helping us to understand the evolution of our own tool use and technology.
How intelligent are orangutans? Ultimately, that depends on the nature of the test. Only more study and time will tell if orangutans will continue to evolve in the same way humans have.
Until next time, stay curious.
