TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A study led by Caroline Schuppli, a researcher from the Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior and the University of Tbingen, reveals the life patterns of orangutans in determining their daily food. It reveals that young orangutans are highly dependent on the social guidance of their mothers to know the safe food list for consumption.
This finding provides strong evidence that the eating patterns of orangutans, which cover nearly 250 types of food in adulthood, are the result of accumulated experience and innovation passed down through generational culture. This finding emphasizes why orangutans have a very long childhood in the wild and provides important insights for rehabilitation programs.
The research states that no living creature is born with knowledge of the food they can consume. The orangutans' knowledge of their food types is referred to as a product of intensive social contact over the years.
In the simulation model of this study, orangutans receiving social support from their groups will have a longer list of foods they can consume in the wild. In addition, the long childhood of orangutans allows them enough space to observe, practice, fail, and try again under safe supervision.
The findings in this study have significant practical implications for conservation efforts. Many young orangutans who come to rehabilitation centers lack the necessary cultural exposure to survive. If released too quickly or without proper training, they are at risk of starvation or consuming toxic plants.
"Reintroduction programs have already taught orangutans to forage on their own outside of captivity," said Schuppli, the lead author of this study, as quoted from the Earth report on Tuesday, November 25, 2025. "Our study emphasizes how important this is to continue their complete cultural menu, so that these animals have the greatest chance of success in the wild."
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