Sumatran orangutans are located on the island of Sumatra. Sumatra is south of the Malay Peninsula on the mainland of southeast Asia. The orangutans generally inhabit tropical rainforests on the northern side of the island. Sumatran orangutans are arboreal, which means they spend most of their time in the trees.

Sumatran orangutans eat a wide variety of foods. These foods include fruits such as figs. They will also eat insects and various plant matter.

Sumatran orangutans grow to be sizes of 4 - 5 feet in height with females generally being smaller than males. They weigh between 100 - 200 pounds. Sumatran orangutans are generally smaller than their close relatives, Bornean orangutans.

Orangutans have long orange hair that covers most of their bodies. Parts of their faces, hands and feet are hairless. Around their cheeks and nose areas orangutans may have beard-like hair growth, especially as they mature in age. Their arms are long and lanky which helps them swing through the trees of the rainforest. They have the ability to grab things with both their hands and their feet, which also helps them to move through the trees.

The gestation or pregnancy periods of Sumatran orangutans is approximately 7.5 - 8.5 months. This is very close to pregnancy periods of humans. Female Sumatran orangutans will generally give birth to one infant, but at times two or more is possible.

Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered as listed on the IUCN Redlist. Their rainforest habitat is quickly disappearing from the island of Sumatra and unfortunately it is a race against time for them.