Orangutans Have the Longest Childhoods After Humans

Many animals enter the world ready to walk, run, or forage for food almost immediately. Some spend only a few weeks (if that) with their mothers before venturing off on their own. Orangutans, however, have the second-longest period of infant dependency after humans. Young orangutans stay close to their mothers, even continuing to nurse, for up to 8-10 years.

That’s a long time in the animal kingdom, even among other primates. Found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, orangutans spend most of their adult lives alone, making those first years essential. They learn everything from where to find food and how to build a nest to navigating the forest canopy and avoiding danger. There’s a lot for a young orangutan to master. Fortunately, their mothers don’t seem to be in much of a hurry to kick them out of the nest.