The Orangutan Baby — Reading Comprehension

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Grades

Standards

MS-LS4-D
MS-LS1-1

About This Reader

This interactive science reading passage, titled "The Orangutan Baby: A Long Childhood in the Trees," introduces students to the fascinating early life of an Orangutan. Aligned with NGSS Life Science standards, particularly MS-LS1-4 (Animal Behavior and Reproduction) and MS-LS4-D (Biodiversity and Humans), the passage highlights the exceptionally long period of dependency for infant orangutans on their mothers. It describes how these young primates learn essential survival skills like foraging and nest-building within their rainforest habitat in Borneo and Sumatra. The text emphasizes the mother's crucial role as a teacher and caregiver, and critically, the heightened vulnerability of orangutan babies due to ongoing habitat loss from palm oil plantations. This resource is excellent for fostering reading comprehension, expanding vocabulary related to animal development and behavior, and raising awareness about endangered species and the importance of conservation for these intelligent and unique animals.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Meet the adorable Orangutan baby, one of the cutest and most dependent infants in the animal kingdom! Born small and helpless, these tiny primates immediately cling to their mothers' fur, beginning a journey of learning and growth that lasts for many years. An infant orangutan spends its early life nestled close, relying entirely on its mother for everything.

Orangutan babies have one of the longest periods of childhood dependency of any ape, often staying with their mothers for up to eight years, or even longer! During this crucial time, the mother orangutan serves as a devoted teacher. The young primate learns vital survival skills: how to climb and swing through the dense

canopy, which fruits and leaves are safe to eat, how to build comfortable sleeping nests high in the trees, and how to identify and avoid dangers.They even learn complex social behaviors through observation.

For the first two to three years, the baby orangutan drinks only its mother's milk. As it grows, it slowly begins to try solid foods, but remains close to its mother, riding on her back as she forages through the trees. This extended childhood is essential for developing the high level of intelligence and complex behaviors needed to survive in their challenging arboreal environment.

Sadly, the long dependency of orangutan babies makes them incredibly vulnerable. The rapid deforestation of their Borneo and Sumatra rainforest habitat, primarily for palm oil plantations, means fewer safe places for mothers to raise their young. Protecting these precious forest homes is critical for the survival of every endangered species and for the future generations of these amazing unique animals, ensuring they have the chance to grow up wild and free.

Fun Fact: A mother orangutan typically gives birth only once every 6 to 8 years, making each baby incredibly precious and vital for the species' survival!

How long do orangutan babies typically stay with their mothers?

A few monthsAbout one yearUp to eight years or moreOnly until they can walk

What does an infant orangutan primarily learn from its mother?

How to swimHow to build nests and find foodHow to play gamesHow to run fast on the ground

What is the main food for a young orangutan for its first few years?

FruitsInsectsMother's milkLeaves

Where do orangutan mothers and babies spend most of their time?

On the groundIn riversHigh in the treesIn caves

What is a major threat to orangutan babies and their mothers?

Too much foodVery few predatorsRainforest deforestationToo much rain

What makes an orangutan baby's childhood "long"?

They grow very slowly.They stay dependent on their mother for many years.They take long naps.They travel long distances.

What is the main idea of this passage?

Orangutan babies are very active.Orangutan babies have a long, dependent childhood vital for learning.Orangutan babies are born in nests.Orangutan babies eat everything.

Why is the destruction of their habitat especially harmful to baby orangutans?

It makes food taste bad.It removes safe places for mothers to raise them.It makes them change their fur color.It makes them lose their smile.