Primate Behavior a Study of Orangutans and Mandrills

During my research of Orangutans and Mandrills I observed them in captivity at the San Diego Zoo. My observations included a 20 minute observation of each primate as it cohabitated with other Primates and with other members of its own species. My findings will support the research of Orangutans and Mandrills through firsthand observations.

My observation of the orangutan habitat was on a sunny and hot day with the average temperature being between 65-70F. The Enclosure for the orangutans was a grassy and dirt area that was approximately 35ft+ in width and about 75ft+ in length with a long glass barrier for observation. The habitat featured three 15ft tall fake trees which were fashioned after a tree but bare of leaves. The trees were adorned with various nets, ropes and blankets which try to imitate orangutan nests. The enclosure also included an underground or closed off area which appeared to be fashioned after caves; the caves were where most of the orangutans would come to and from as they hid from the sun that was directly overhead. Surrounding the enclosure was an artificial stream of running water as well as plenty or fake bamboo sticks adorning the entire area. The enclosure is shared with 3 adult female orangutans, 1 male adult orangutan made obvious by his large flanges and 1 juvenile orangutan, they also share the enclosure with 2 Siamangs which are found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra along with Orangutans. One of the observable pairs was a mother and her juvenile which is common throughout the species (Cawthon), the mother would primarily spend her time with her offspring and for most of the observation period remained huddled with the juvenile in a net on a fake tree with a blanket covering both of them....

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Works Cited

• Larsen, Clark S. Essentials of Physical Anthropology: Discovering Our Origins. 2nd ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 2013. Print.

• Cawthon Lang KA. 2005 June 13. Primate Factsheets: Orangutan (Pongo) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology . Accessed 2014 April 25.

• Gron KJ. 2009 October 14. Primate Factsheets: Drill (Mandrillus) Taxonomy, Morphology, & Ecology . Accessed 2014 April 25.

• "Mammals | Orangutan." Orangutan. San Diego Zoo Global, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.

• "Mammals | Mandrill." Mandrill. San Diego Zoo Global, n.d. Web. 25 Apr. 2014

• Owen, Bruce. Anthropoids. Santa Rosa: Sonoma State University, 2000. PDF.

• Kuhar, Amy. "Alala Chicks: Time to Move Out of Mom and Dad's House!" Alala Chicks: Time to Move Out of Mom and Dad's House! San Diego Zoo, 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 25 Apr. 2014.