🤯 Did You Know (click to read)
Unflanged adult males can still reproduce but often avoid direct confrontation with larger flanged males.
Adult male Bornean orangutans may develop prominent cheek pads known as flanges as they reach full maturity. These fleshy structures expand laterally from the face and are associated with increased testosterone levels. Flanged males produce louder, more resonant long calls that travel over a kilometer. Not all adult males develop flanges at the same time, leading to two distinct male morphs. The presence of flanges influences mating success and social interactions. Flanged males often dominate larger territories. This dramatic physical transformation is rare among mammals.
💥 Impact (click to read)
The enlargement can double the apparent width of a male’s face, altering visual and acoustic signals simultaneously. Such morphological shifts represent extreme sexual dimorphism within the species. Delayed flange development in some males reflects complex social dynamics rather than simple age progression. Habitat loss that reduces adult male density may alter these developmental patterns. Social structure therefore interacts with environmental stability.
Understanding male morph variation informs population modeling and behavioral ecology. If dominant males decline due to hunting or habitat pressure, reproductive dynamics may shift unpredictably. The species’ unique developmental pathways highlight evolutionary complexity shaped in stable forests. Rapid environmental change may disrupt these finely tuned systems. Conservation safeguards not just individuals but the biological diversity within sexes.
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