Orangutans: Orangutan Communication

Orangutans are the least vocal of the great apes, however they will make long vocal calls to one another to attract mates. The reason they aren't that vocal is because they are solitary creatures most of the time so they dont need to communicate with one another that often or use vocal sounds to warn other Orangutans about predators.They have been known to make a variety of grunts, squeaks, moans, and barks however. Orangutans have been known to actually laugh like a human. Apparently they enjoy being tickled and will laugh just like humans would if they were being tickled.

In a lab or zoo setting some Orangutans have been taught sign language, but one of the most interesting things recently is the Miami Zoo is actually using ipads to communicate with their Orangutans! Apparently only the younger orangutans at this zoo are only interested in the technology, the older ones have no interest in it (quite like humans sometimes!). They play games on it, draw, and learn vocabulary with it. The program was initially created for humans with autism and the screen displays pictures of various objects. Unfortunately the tablet is too small for Orangutan hands so the trainer has to hold the tablet, and they are quite fragile (as we all know apple products are!) so they are working on getting a larger one for the Orangutans with a more "orangutan-proof" cover.

How cool is technology!?