ecofriend.com

Evolutionary skill: Orangutans are smart engineers when it comes to crafting their nests

It is amazing how many people still consider ‘evolution’ as an opinion and are willing to argue against science in this regard. Some even indulge in prolonged and distorted discussions to invalidate the essence of the theory, but we will not rake up that nest right now. Instead, Students at the University of Manchester have studied the way in which Orangutans, man’s closest evolutionary relative that exists today, build their treetop nests in Indonesian rain forests.

Orangutans use complex engineering skills to build nests in the Indonesian treetops

Now, if you have ever seen an Orangutan, even if it is in a zoo, then you will immediately know that they are pretty smart creatures. The research overseen by Dr. Roland Ennos has further proved how skilled and evolved these species are as their treetop nests seem to be crafted with the same precision and care that would be adopted by modern engineers when they build structures. The Orangutan builds a shelter on top of the trees so that it can safely take a nap at night. Researchers have observed that the Orangutans use strong, rigid tree branches for the structural parts of the nests and more delicate branches and twigs for the inner lining.

The Orangutan is a pretty heavy creature that needs a strong and stable nest if it intends to stay secure in the trees at night and even the way in which these smart creatures severed the branches seemed to vary considerably. The branches used for the structural support of a nest were fractured in half from the tree, while the remaining half was left intact for support. But those used for inner lining and in a sense comfortable cushioning, were completely broken off from the tree.

Via: Worldarchitecturenews

Today's Top Articles:

Scroll to Top