How orangutans learn to build nests

Nests in trees are not just for birds. Orangutans are also known for constructing nests high up in the treetops, where they sleep at night. Now researchers from the UK have learned that orangutans develop their ability to build nests over the course of several years, starting from a young age. Orangutans live in forests on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Every night, they build nests in trees as high as four stories above the ground. After picking a spot, orangutans will bend or break branches inward and weave them together to form a basic support structure for the nest. They then add smaller branches on top of this structure to create a comfortable place to sleep. Some orangutans even make pillows or roofs for their nests. A team…

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The Week Junior US (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 219

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