Orangutans have an unusually long period of dependency, and new research is clarifying why. According to a report in New Scientist, the rainforest-dwelling apes spend more than eight years learning how to cope on their own, and copying other individuals seems to be a central part of that education.
Rather than relying only on trial and error, young orangutans appear to watch and imitate others, which helps them work out which foods are worth adding to their diet. This social learning may allow them to build a broader and more flexible diet as they mature.
The findings give researchers a clearer picture of how orangutans acquire essential survival knowledge during their long developmental period. With only one source here, there are no conflicting accounts to compare, but the report emphasizes social copying as an important mechanism behind dietary learning.