A new study from the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior (MPI-AB) reveals that Sumatran orangutan mothers exhibit distinct parenting styles. Researchers observed 22 mother-infant pairs at the Suaq Balimbing research site in Indonesia for 15 years.
The study focused on six maternal behaviors, including body contact and spatial proximity. Some mothers consistently carried their infants more than others, while others gradually reduced physical closeness as their infants grew older.
These differences persisted even when mothers had multiple infants over the years. Researchers suggest that these consistent differences may indicate individual maternal personalities among orangutans.
The study raises questions about the long-term effects of these parenting styles on infant development. Researchers plan to continue tracking these mother-infant pairs to understand how maternal behavior influences infant survival, learning, and social skills.
Sumatran orangutans have the longest infant dependency in the animal kingdom, aside from humans. This extended period allows researchers to track how mothers adjust their behavior as their babies grow, providing valuable insights into primate parenting.