In a new study published in Nature Communications Biology, University of Warwick researchers witnessed something totally adorable: young Sumatran orangutans learning how to “engineer” complex nests with pillows, blankets, mattresses, and even anti-mosquito properties.
Babies Sumatrans hang onto branches nonchalantly in the trees as they build their nests high, away from predators. They might appear relaxed, but these young orangutans are, in fact, carefully “peering” at their mothers and other adults working away on constructing these impressive day and night nests.
Interestingly, researchers explained in a recent press release that nest-building is an often-overlooked behavioral pattern in apes. How they learn to build nests remained largely unclear, according to the press release. And it takes years.
The recently published paper brought this process to light for the first time.
Immature Orangutan Looking Down through the branches / Natasha Bartolotta @ SUAQ Project
A totally cute study
The research group patiently observed orangutans for over 17 years. In a humorous mirroring, researchers watched these youngsters observe their mothers and adults build these elaborate nests.
Though orangutans may possess some innate instincts, the results of the latest observational study proved that they must learn how to construct their homes through social interaction. Beginning at a very young age, they watch, practice, and make mistakes as they grow.
Sumatran orangutans build two types of nests, and they are remarkable. Day nests are practical frames, which seem more straightforward, as per the press release, akin to a simple daybed.
However, night nests are intricate sleeping platforms built as high as 65 feet into the trees. Far from uncomfortable, these orangutans even know how to build luxury items such as pillows, blankets, mattresses (linings), and roofs to make their nests weather-proof.
That’s when the young orangutans start tuning in.
Mother and Immature Orangutan exploring together / Guilhem Duvot @ SUAQ Project
Learning how to grow over time
Researchers observed that they pay special attention to the more complicated aspects of nest building, even the extension projects that their older counterparts might construct across multiple trees.
“The choice of tree species is important,” Dr. Caroline Schuppli, senior author of the paper, explained. “And infants—who primarily peer at their mothers—are more likely to select the same species their mothers use.”
What begins with their mother expands to include other individuals. So they learn from their closest ally, then diversify that knowledge of which trees to use by observing others, suggesting that they learn socially both how to build and with what.
“Just like human teenagers finding their own path, maturing orangutans increasingly peer at the nest-building of others and begin experimenting with the tree species those individuals use,” Dr. Schuppli continued in the press release.
However, they must watch well. If a young orangutan tends to become distracted, it will not be able to acquire this essential skill. So, active watching becomes crucial to its survival.
So, a word from the wise: pay attention, pay close close attention to how your elders navigate the most basic yet important aspect of their lives: how they build their homes, literally speaking.
Read the study in Nature Communications Biology.