Orangutans are one of the strongest apes around the world. Orangutans are incredibly strong animals and can lift more than twice their weight. Since they live in trees, they have developed strong muscles to help them swing from branch to branch.
Their strength comes from adaptation to their habitat and lifestyle. Since their main mode of transportation is by swinging from tree to tree, orangutans develop their muscle strength as would a bodybuilder who lifts weights in the gym.
Why Are Orangutans So Strong?
Their size and weight are proportionate to their strength, which means the heavier the animal, the stronger it is. The average weight of a male orangutan can range between 50 to 100 kgs. (110 to 220 lbs.), while female orangutans weigh between 30 to 50 kg. (66 to 110 lbs.)
Orangutans have long arms which give them a lot of leverage when they swing through the trees. Their arms can reach up to 7 feet long, which is more than twice the size of human arms. Additionally, their hands and feet are curved, which makes them able to hang onto branches using only hands or only feet or both.
They are also fairly smart animals. They have been known to use tools and can even solve simple puzzles and problems. Since orangutans share about 97% of human DNA, they are considered one of the closest living relatives to humans.
Orangutan Strength Compared to Humans
These creatures are seven times stronger than the average human. While an average human can lift about 38 kgs. (85 lbs.), an orangutan can lift up to 226 kg. (500 pounds.)
However, even with their strength, they generally are non-aggressive to humans. Orangutans are considered docile animals, and they use their strength mainly for feeding and traveling through the trees.
Orangutan Strength Compared to Other Apes
A gorilla’s strength is estimated to be around 815 kg. (~1.8k lbs.), while a chimpanzee’s strength was recorded at 384 kg. (847 lbs.) compared to the orangutan’s strength of 226 kgs. (500 lbs.).
While they may not be as strong as gorillas or chimpanzees, orangutans still have a lot of physical power that allows them to thrive in their natural environment. Orangutans are more gentle than the two other apes and don’t have the need to develop their strength for fighting, as they rarely come into contact with each other.
Conclusion
Orangutans are incredibly strong animals, with the ability to lift up to twice their weight. Their strength comes from adaptation to their habitat and lifestyle, as they need to be able to swing through the trees with ease. With long arms and curved hands and feet, orangutans have developed impressive strength that is unmatched by other apes. However, even with their strength, orangutans are generally docile and non-aggressive toward humans.
