manage to break free. An unusual form of reproductive suppression also occurs among male Orangs. Although they become sexually mature at seven to ten years old, males generally fail to develop the full range of secondary sexual characteristics (such as the large cheek pads or “flanges,” a throat pouch, and a general weight increase) for another seven years, and sometimes this is delayed for as long as two decades. It is thought that this development is suppressed by the presence of a mature male, perhaps through social intimidation or stress, although the exact mechanism is not known. Nonbreeding males have been found to have higher estrogen levels than breeding males, so perhaps a physiological effect is also involved. Interestingly, nonflanged younger males have been observed copulating repeatedly with females without resulting in any pregnancies; perhaps this is related to their arrested sexual development, although it is also possible that they were simply mating during the nonovulatory phase of the female’s cycle. In addition, adolescent females experience ADOLESCENT STERILITY, lasting a year or longer, during which they can copulate without becoming pregnant. In fact, adolescent females have higher copulation rates than adult females, accounting for more than 60 percent of heterosexual mating. Adult females breed relatively infrequently, perhaps once every four to eight years. Because females in some populations tend to have synchronized reproductive cycles, there may be periods of up to two years when no adult females are available for mating.
*asterisked references discuss homosexuality/transgender
*Dutrillaux, B., M.-O. Rethore, and J. Lejeune (1975) “Comparaison du caryotype de l‘orang-outang (
Galdikas, B. M. F. (1995) “Social and Reproductive Behavior of Wild Adolescent Female Orangutans.” In R. D. Nadler, B. M. F. Galdikas, L. K. Sheeran, and N. Rosen, eds.,
———(1985) “Orangutan Sociality at Tanjung Puting.”
———(1981) “Orangutan Reproduction in the Wild.” In C. E. Graham, ed.,
Harrisson, B. (1961) “A Study of Orang-utan Behavior in the Semi-Wild State.”
Kaplan, G., and L. Rogers (1994)
Kingsley, S. R. (1988) “Physiological Development of Male Orang-utans and Gorillas.” In J.H. Schwartz, ed.,
———(1982) “Causes of Nonbreeding and the Development of the Secondary Sexual Characteristics in the Male Orang Utan: A Hormonal Study.” In L. E. M. de Boer, ed.,
*MacKinnon, J. (1974) “The Behavior and Ecology of Wild Orang-utans (
*Maple, T. L. (1980)
Mitani, J. C. (1985) “Mating Behavior of Male Orangutans in the Kutai Game Reserve, Indonesia.”
*Morris, D. (1964) “The Response of Animals to a Restricted Environment.”
Nadler, R. D. (1988) “Sexual and Reproductive Behavior.” In J. H. Schwartz, ed.,
———(1982) “Reproductive Behavior and Endocrinology of Orang Utans.” In L. E. M. de Boer, ed.,
*Poole, T. B. (1987) “Social Behavior of a Group of Orangutans (
*Rijksen, H. D. (1978)
Rodman, P. S. (1988) “Diversity and Consistency in Ecology and Behavior.” In J. H. Schwartz, ed.,
Schurmann, C. (1982) “Mating Behavior of Wild Orang Utans.” In L. E. M. de Boer, ed.,
Schurmann, C., and J. A. R. A. M. van Hooff (1986) “Reproductive Strategies of the Orang-Utan: New Data and a Reconsideration of Existing Sociosexual Models.”
*Turleau, C., J. de Grouchy, F. Chavin-Colin, J. Mortelmans, and W. Van den Bergh (1975) “Inversion peri- centrique du 3, homozygote et heterozygote, et translation centromerique du 12 dans une famille d’orangs-outangs. Implications evolutives [Pericentric Inversion of Chromosome 3, Homozygous and Heterozygous, and Transposition of Centromere of Chromosome 12 in a Family of Orang-utans. Implications for Evolution].”
Utani, S., and T. M. Setia (1995) “Behavioral Changes in Wild Male and Female Sumatran Orangutans (
WHITE-HANDED GIBBON
IDENTIFICATION: A small ape (weighing up to 13 pounds) with a variable coat color (cream, black, brown, or reddish) and a white face ring, hands, and feet. DISTRIBUTION: China, Thailand, Laos, Burma, Malay Peninsula, Sumatra. HABITAT: Lowland and mountain deciduous and rain forests. STUDY AREAS: Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand.
SIAMANG
IDENTIFICATION: Similar to White-handed Gibbon, but larger (up to 24 pounds), with all-black fur and a prominent throat sac. DISTRIBUTION: Sumatra, Malay Peninsula. HABITAT: Lowland and mountain forests. STUDY AREA: Milwaukee County Zoo, Wisconsin.
Social Organization
Gibbons generally live in family groups consisting of a paired male and female and their offspring. Siamang heterosexual pairs may be more closely bonded than those of White-handed Gibbons. Both males and females perform complex vocal duets as part of bonding and territorial displays, although separate family groups have relatively little interaction with one another.
Description