The Ladies
Female Orangutans
Print size: 51 x 40 centimetres (20” x 15.75” inches)
Limited Edition of 495
Lithographic prints
Signed and numbered by David Dancey-Wood
Released in 2005
 
The female orangutan, also known as the "man of the forest," is one of the most intelligent and fascinating animals in the world. These gentle giants, with their distinctive reddish-brown fur and shaggy arms, are native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, where they live solitary lives among the dense trees.
Physical Characteristics
Female orangutans are generally smaller than males, weighing between 50 and 100 pounds and measuring around 4 feet tall. They have longer, more slender arms than males, which they use to navigate the tree canopy and gather food. Their hair is typically shorter and less shaggy than males, and their faces are characterized by a prominent nose and wide-set eyes.
Behavior and Social Structure
Unlike many other primates, female orangutans live solitary lives, only coming together with males for breeding. They are incredibly intelligent animals, with the ability to use tools and solve complex problems. They are also skilled climbers, using their long, flexible arms to swing from tree to tree with ease.
Female orangutans are also very protective of their young, which they carry with them for several years. They teach their offspring important survival skills, including how to find food and build nests in the treetops.
Threats and Conservation Efforts
Unfortunately, the female orangutan, like many other endangered species, is facing a number of threats to its survival. Deforestation and habitat loss due to logging, mining, and agriculture are the primary culprits, with many orangutans losing their homes to make way for palm oil plantations.