Orangutans are three extant species of great apes native to Indonesia and Malaysia. Orangutans are currently only found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Classified in the genus Pongo, orangutans were originally considered to be one species. From 1996, they were divided into two species: the Bornean orangutan (P. pygmaeus, with three subspecies) and the Sumatran orangutan (P. abelii). In November 2017 it was reported that a third species had been identified, the Tapanuli orangutan (P. tapanuliensis).
Behaviour
The Orangutan at Brantford Zoo imitates Mr. Cage.
Of all great apes, Orangutans display high intelligence and are known to learn from and even mimic human behaviour after observation. Orangutans are the world's largest arboreal (tree-dwelling) mammals and spend the majority of their lives in trees above the ground, which is benefited by having arms which are one and a half times longer than their legs. When stretched out to the sides, an adult male orangutan's arms may measure 213 cm (7 ft.) in length. Adult males are distinguished by the large cheek pads and facial hair, and weigh between 50 to 90 kg (110—198 lb.) and can stand between 1.25 to 1.5 m (4.1—5 ft.) in height.
Orangutans are less aggressive than other primate species, mostly due to their social structures, but like other animals, in Jumanji's wildlife, they may prove dangerous as part of the game's style.
Appearances
In Truth or Consequently, when Officer Carl Bentley called Brantford Zoo about a serious animal control situation, it was a male Orangutan who answered the phone first and attempted to have a conversation with him until Mr. Cage stopped cleaning and took the phone off him, ignoring the ape imitating his behaviour behind his back.
In the 2017 film, Seaplane McDonough (Alex) tried to reach the Jaguar Shrine by piloting but he was shot down by Orangutans piloting fighter jets, which cost him his first spare life.
An illustration of an Orangutan on-top of a fighter jet appears on the map of Jumanji in the closing credits, next to the music composer Henry Jackman's credit.In the Mobile Game, Orangutans appear as common class animal assist cards.