The average orangutan mother may have only two or three babies during her lifetime, and she may be accompanied by her children for a long time, nursing for up to four years. The orang mother not only nurses and cuddles her baby, but she also keeps it clean, combing its fur with her teeth and shortening its fingernails. She may wash the baby with rainwater, and holds it away from her body when it urinates or defecates. At an early age she feeds her youngster with thoroughly pre-chewed food. The orangutans may be seen between the Elephant House and the Primate Discovery Center.
Chimpanzees live in west and central Africa, chiefly in rain forests, and never very far from trees.
The fur of these tree-dwelling animals is long and coarse, usually dark brown or black. Baldness is common, and more extensive in females. Omnivores, chimpanzees have been known to kill animals for meat. Feeding is chiefly an individual activity, however, with fruit, leaves, seeds, bark, honey, insects, and eggs forming the primary diet. In addition, chimps are capable of a variety of facial expressions due to large and flexible, almost prehensile, lips.