Origami Orangutan; Swing into action with this unique jungle craft!
The Orangutan is one of the most charismatic animals in the world. Native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, their name literally translates to “Man of the Forest” in Malay. With their shaggy red fur and incredibly long arms, they are the acrobats of the primate world.
In this tutorial, we will show you how to fold an Origami Orangutan.
While the Gorilla model (which we covered previously) focuses on muscle and bulk, the Orangutan model is all about reach. This intermediate-level project focuses on creating the illusion of long, lanky arms and a rounded, soulful face. It’s a perfect project for animal lovers or anyone wanting to raise awareness for these critically endangered creatures.
Grab a sheet of orange or rust-colored paper, and let’s climb!
🦧 Fun Facts: The Orange Acrobat
Before we start folding, learn a bit about this intelligent ape:
- Wingspan: An orangutan’s arm span can be up to 7 feet (2.2 meters)—that is wider than most humans are tall! Their arms are actually longer than their legs.
- Solitary Lives: Unlike chimps or gorillas that live in large groups, orangutans are mostly solitary. They enjoy their quiet time in the canopy.
- Tool Users: They are incredibly smart and use sticks to fish for termites or big leaves as umbrellas during rainstorms.
What You Need
- Paper: 1 sheet of square origami paper (6×6 inches / 15×15 cm).
- Color: Burnt Orange, Rust, Copper, or Brown. Standard bright orange works, but earthy tones look more realistic.
- Texture: “Kraft” paper or slightly textured paper is amazing for this model because it mimics the shaggy texture of their fur.
- Scissors: (Optional) To separate the fingers or toes for extra detail.
- Marker: Black, for the face details.
Instructions: The Origami Orangutan
Difficulty: Intermediate
1.Start with a square piece of paper.
2.Fold and unfold.
3.Fold the edges to the center.
4.Fold and unfold.
5.Fold to the center.
6.Pull out corners and squash.
7.Turn over.
8.Bisect angle.
9.Match up edges.
10.Fold.
11.Fold down about 1/3.
12.Crease angle bisector.
13.Fold both at once, allowing the arms to swing out from behind.
14.Fold the whole model in half.
15.Bisect angle.
16.Reverse fold.
17.Fold through endpoints. Repeat behind.
18.Fold to spine. Repeat behind.
19.Open the back half of the model along the spine.
20.Fold down.
21.Pull points out.
22.Fold feet at an angle.
23.Fold legs down.
24.Fold the model flat again.
25.Fold the hands so that they are on the same line as the feet.
26.Round the rear of the orangutan.
27. Finished!
Crafty Ideas: Hanging Around
Orangutans are rarely on the ground; they belong in the trees!
- The Vine: Twist a piece of green pipe cleaner or green paper to create a “vine.” Hook the orangutan’s curved hand over the vine so it hangs in mid-air.
- The Banana: Fold a tiny scrap of yellow paper into a crescent shape and glue it to the orangutan’s hand.
- Jungle Mobile: Combine your Orangutan with the Origami Tiger and Origami Parrot to create a full rainforest mobile for a child’s room.
Conclusion
You’ve brought the “Man of the Forest” into your home!This model is a wonderful exercise in capturing character rather than just geometry. The slump of the shoulders and the dangle of the arms make this paper ape feel alive.
