Electronic Theses and Dissertation

Penelitian ini mengkaji aspek perilaku konsumsi rayap oleh orangutan sumatera (pongo abelii) di stasiun penelitian suaq belimbing, taman nasional gunung leuser. tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengidentifikasi jenis-jenis rayap yang dikonsumsi, mendeskripsikan perilaku konsumsi, serta menganalisis persentase konsumsi rayap oleh orangutan. data dikumpulkan melalui metode focal animal sampling, dengan subjek pengamatan terdiri dari empat kelompok kohort: jantan dewasa, betina dewasa, jantan remaja, dan betina remaja. hasil pengamatan selama 31.980 menit, menunjukkan bahwa orangutan mengonsumsi 12 jenis rayap yang tergolong dalam 5 genus. dari total 16.273 menit aktivitas makan yang diamati, sebanyak 1.144 menit (7,03%) digunakan untuk mengkonsumsi rayap. konsumsi tertinggi tercatat pada individu remaja betina (14,55%), diikuti remaja jantan (7,92%), betina dewasa (4,24%), dan jantan dewasa (2,895). perilaku konsumsi rayap meliputi penggunaan tangan untuk mengupas kulit pohon, menggigit dan mematahkan ranting, memukul sarang rayap hingga terbuka, serta menjilat rayap pada batang pohon. kata kunci: pongo abelii, perilaku makan, konsumsi rayap, serangga.

This study investigates the termite-feeding behavior of Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii) at the Suaq Balimbing Research Station, located within Gunung Leuser National Park. The main objectives were to identify termite species consumed by orangutans, describe their feeding behavior, and analyze adaptive strategies related to termite consumption. Data were collected using the focal animal sampling method, focusing on four cohort groups: adult males, adult females, subadult males, and subadult females. A total of 31,980 minutes of observation were recorded. Results revealed that orangutans consumed 13 termite species belonging to 5 genera. Out of 16,273 minutes of observed feeding activity, 1,144 mnutes (7,03%) were spent consuming termites. The highest consumption percentage was recorded in juvenile females (14,55%), followed by juvenile males (7,92%), adult females (4,24%), and adult males (2,89%). Termited consumption behavior invluding using hands to peel tree bark, biting and breaking dead branches, hitting termited nest until they opened, and licking termites from tree trunks. Keywords: Pongo abelii, feeding behavior, termite consumption, insects