Orang-utan advice needed

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lou1203

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I am currently doing a report about comparative behaviour focusing primarily on facial expressions. I am trying to compare facial expressions of the great Apes and humans and I am currently finding it very difficult to locate any information regarding Orang-utan facial expressions and their possible meanings.

Does anyone know of anywhere I can find pictures or drawings that show this sort of information please?
 
lou1203 said:
I am currently doing a report about comparative behaviour focusing primarily on facial expressions. I am trying to compare facial expressions of the great Apes and humans and I am currently finding it very difficult to locate any information regarding Orang-utan facial expressions and their possible meanings.
Click to expand...

Chimpanzees have far more facial expressions than Orangutans. Probably why you are having problems sourcing anything relating to Orangs. Sometimes referred to as 'inscrutable' meaning its difficult/ impossible to read what they are thinking from their expression.
 
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Having worked with both species, I can tell you will probably struggle to find any info on facial expressions in orangs. They do everything with a subtle touch. I am reminded of the advice from a friend - if the orangs don't look up at you after being away for a time then all is okay. If they show alot of interest then they don't know who you are. Stick with chimps.
 
Orangutan's have several facial expressions that you could consider basic primate facial expressions such as the fear grimmace and play face (though the play face is rare in adults and more often seen in infant/adolescents). Because of the orangutans solitary social network they have not seemed to have evolved (or more likely had and stopped using when they became solitary) the complex facial expressions you see in other primates. What is interesting is the facial expressions that they culturally learn to mirror in captivity, demonstrating an evolutionary past (presumably speaking) of facial expression use and understanding.
 
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