Orangutans get flanges, or prominent ridges on the side of their faces, to give them a larger surface area to be able to make large vocalizations. The orangutan typically utilizes these vocalizations to notify potential mates or warn predators from nearby.
The flanges area also believed to provide an intraspecific form of communication to reinforce social bonds and provide a way to keep track of one another. Additionally, males tend to have larger and more pronounced flanges because they appear to be associated with dominance when it comes to interactions between orangutans and between other species, such as the Bornean gibbons.
The flanges also provide an efficient way to increase the strength of their bite, and may help to keep them from injuring their sensitive skin when they are munching on tough vegetation.
Table of Contents
What is the difference between male and female orangutans?
Male and female orangutans have some physical and behavioral differences. Physically, a mature male orangutan will have large cheek pads, a wide and robust body, and a prominent throat sac. Female orangutans are smaller and more slender, with smaller cheek pads.
Additionally, male orangutans will grow large cheek flanges, or “horns,” while females won’t. Behaviorally, the males and females have different roles in the orangutan society. Male orangutans are typically solitary and may stay with the same female or the same group.
Female orangutans are the central figure in multi-female and juvenile units. Females are often the matriarch, and they’ll guard vital resources and lead their group to food sources. On the other hand, males have no strong connection to either a female or social group, and are more likely to forage for food alone.
All orangutans play, use tools, and are curious, but males are more likely to confront other males when food or mating resources are scarce. There is still much to learn about why these gender-based differences in orangutan behavior exist.
What makes the body of male orangutans different from the female ones?
Male and female orangutans have some physical differences that are the result of both genetic and environmental factors. Male orangutans are much larger than females, growing to up to twice their size.
Male orangutans also have a different sort of facial features, including large, protruding cheek pads, a prominent brow ridge, and prominent, chest-length beards. Their arms are also much longer than those of female orangutans and have large, strong hands and feet.
Male orangutans also have more aggressive behavior patterns than females and use loud, long calls to express their dominance over the females. The social structure of males and females within a group also differs, with males usually dominating the females.
Overall, these physical and behavioral differences determine how male and female orangutans interact in their natural environment, making them unique in terms of their biology and behavior.
What is on the side of orangutans face?
Orangutans have long, reddish-brown hair that covers most of their bodies, including their faces. They also have numerous facial features, including pronounced cheek pads, small eyes, nostrils, and a large, protruding mouth.
Additionally, they have a bald patch on the side of their faces, which is an adaptation for climbing, as it helps them grip branches more easily. The skin on the sides of their faces is much darker than the rest of their bodies, and the texture is rough and hairless.
Lastly, they have two long tufts of hair protruding from the sides of their heads, called “secondary crest. ” This helps increase their expressive capabilities, enabling them to show emotions through facial expressions, as well as serve as a means of identification among other orangutans.
What happens when you smile at an orangutan?
When you smile at an orangutan, their reaction will vary depending on the individual. In general, wild orangutans may not respond in any way to a smile, particularly if they feel threatened or intimidated.
However, some captive orangutans may approach a smiling person or mirror the smile in some way. For example, some orangutans may pant-hoot, an excited sound orangutans often make during social encounters, and may even offer the person food.
It is thought that apes may be adept at recognizing human facial expressions, so smiling can be viewed positively by the ape. As a result, it is advised to avoid smiling directly at a wild orangutan, as it can be seen as a form of aggression.
What are orangutan cheeks called?
Orangutan cheeks are also referred to as flanges or jowls. They are area located on the sides of the face, just below the cheekbones, that are covered with wrinkled and swollen skin. Orangutans have large flanges, which are usually lighter colored than their fur.
The flanges on their cheeks are thought to be used for seven purposes. Firstly, they assist with facial expression and communication. Secondly, they play a role in food storage. Thirdly, they help detect external threats, while fourthly they serve as heat radiators.
Fifthly, they act as tattletales to display how an individual is feeling. Sixthly, they can help modify vocalizations. Finally, they protect the ears from certain environmental elements.
What is a flange on an orangutan?
A flange is an external projecting or rocking part of a structure or machinery, usually attached to a wall, floor, or beam. In the case of an orangutan, a flange is a non-randomly distributed patch of thick, wooly, more heavily pigmented fur which surrounds the face of the orangutan.
This flange consists of two separated parts and can reach around the sides of the face and the back of the neck. The flange is unique to the orangutan, with both male and female orangutans having this feature.
The flange serves multiple purposes, including providing thermal insulation, protection from the environment, and a reinforcing structure for the face and neck that is able to withstand the stresses of a vertical stance when in the trees.
What is the meaning of flanged?
Flanged is a term used to describe an item or connection that has an attachment with an inward or outward-facing rim, typically with equally spaced holes for bolts. It is commonly used for attaching two flat objects together, such as two pieces of metal or plastic, but can also be used for connecting curved objects.
Flanged connections offer strength and stability compared to plain measures, such as rivets or screws, and can be used to create joining points between multiple objects. In plumbing, it is often used to refer to pipes that are threaded and include an outward flange around the end of a pipe, creating a sealed joint when bolted together.
In machining, it is a common method of mounting a cutting tool, such as a drill or reamer, into a lathe or milling machine.
