Pongo abelii
A great ape of northern Sumatra’s forest canopy. Its future depends on connected forests, regenerating trees, and safe coexistence with people.
PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA
Sumatran orangutan vs Bornean orangutan: the differences
How do the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.
The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) are different species in the same genus, Pongo. Range in Indonesia — the Sumatran orangutan: Northern Sumatra; the Bornean orangutan: Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo).
Pongo pygmaeus
A great ape of Borneo’s forests, including Kalimantan’s peat swamps. Population diversity and connections between habitats are central to its conservation.
Sumatran orangutan and Bornean orangutan compared
| Aspect | Sumatran orangutan | Bornean orangutan |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Pongo abelii | Pongo pygmaeus |
| Indonesian name | Orangutan Sumatera | Orangutan Kalimantan |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Primates | Primates |
| Family | Hominidae | Hominidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Northern Sumatra | Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo) |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes | No |
| Size | — | Body weight: Wild males 77–100 kg; wild females 36–54 kg (orangutans generally) |
| Diet | Mainly fruit, with other plant matter and insects | Mainly fruit and plant material |
| Diet type | — | herbivore (plant-eater) |
| Reproduction | giving birth to live young (viviparous) | giving birth to live young (viviparous) |
| IUCN status | Critically Endangered | Critically Endangered |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |
Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page; an empty cell means the data is not yet available, not that it is absent.
More comparisons
Sources
- SOCP — Biodiversity monitoring, research, and surveys ↗
- Smithsonian's National Zoo — Orangutan ↗
- Sumatran Orangutan Society — Conservation challenges ↗
- WWF — Sumatran orangutan ↗
- Sumatran Orangutan Society — Responsible ecotourism ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- SOCP — Who we are ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- IUCN Red List ↗
- Pongo abelii (Sumatran orangutan) - Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- BOS Foundation — Orangutan habitat ↗
- BOS Foundation — Orangutan FAQs ↗
- WWF — Bornean orangutan ↗
- BOS Foundation — Orangutan ecosystem conservation ↗
- BOS Foundation — Sanctuary care and release limitations ↗
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