Orangutans know how to brush their teeth

An orangutan in Indonesia learned how to use a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean its mouth.

Siswi , the name of a 34-year-old Borneo orangutan in Tanjung Puting National Park on the Indonesian island of Borneo, can brush his teeth well. Visitors and park staff often saw it with white foam of toothpaste in the mouth, SWNS reported.

Jurgen Freund, a 53-year-old German photographer, saw Siswi brush his teeth when visiting Tanjung Puting National Park. According to him, orangutans who live in semi-wild environments (such as protected areas and national parks) often mimic tourists' behavior.

Visitors often see Siswi with white foam in his mouth. (Photo: Jurgen Freund)

"I think orangutans are quite similar to humans. They are very intelligent and pay close attention to our actions , " Freund commented.

Borneo orangutans are endemic animals on the island of Borneo, which are administered by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. Along with the Sumatran orangutans, Borneo orangutans belong to the only genus of the large ape apes originating from Asia. In the wild, orangutans live for 35 to 40 years, but in captivity, their lifespan can increase to 60 years.