Orangutans are on equal cognitive footing with African apes,
or even surpass them on some tasks. For those in zoos that have contact
with humans, they not only learn how to communicate
their thoughts with abstract keyboard symbols, butalso demonstrate a “theory of mind” (understanding
another individual's perspective) and to make logical and thoughtful choices that
show a mental flexibility some chimpanzees lack. In the wild, orangutans keep innovative
cultural traditions. Some groups construct foraging tools for extracting insects from tree
holes, others use leaves as rain hats or napkins, wad them up as pillows, or line
their hands with them when
climbing a spiky tree. And in rare instances orangutans will twist leaves
into bundles and cradle them like dolls. (National Geographic)
Orangutans are on equal cognitive footing with African apes,
or even surpass them on some tasks. For those in zoos that have contact
with humans, they not only learn how to communicate
their thoughts with abstract keyboard symbols, but also demonstrate a “theory of mind” (understanding
another individual's perspective) and to make logical and thoughtful choices that
show a mental flexibility some chimpanzees lack. In the wild, orangutans keep innovative
cultural traditions. Some groups construct foraging tools for extracting insects from tree
holes, others use leaves as rain hats or napkins, wad them up as pillows, or line
their hands with them when
climbing a spiky tree. And in rare instances orangutans will twist leaves
into bundles and cradle them like dolls. (National Geographic)