• AOL
  • MAIL
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-16-13
    • The Best Episode From Each Season of 'The Simpsons'
    • Today's Funniest Photos 5-15-13
    • The Greatest Cartoons of Your Childhood
    • 30 Ridiculous Parodies of Famous Paintings
    • Photos: Surfers Ride Massive Waves at Teahupoo in Tahiti
    • 13 Animal Photos from Nat Geo's 2013 Traveler Photo Contest
    • Today's 10 Must-See Photos: 5-17-2013
    • Photos: Pavlof Volcano's Breathtaking Eruption
    • Stunning Aerial Photo Shows Erupting Alaska Volcano
Sign In / Register
  • Cute & Funny
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Home
  • Animals
  • News
  • Video
  • Who's Cutest
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • View Gallery

    Cat vs. Banana Peel

  • View Gallery

    Cop Pauses High-Speed Chase to Let Ducklings Cross

  • View Gallery

    Weekly Adorbs for May 13-17, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Good Morning Gifs: May 17th, 2013

  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Training
  • Grooming
  • View Gallery

    Top 10 US Cities for Dogs Ranked

  • View Gallery

    Dog Belonging to Fugitive Murder Suspect Could Provide Clues

  • View Gallery

    Sneak Peek: Tobias Lang's Book 'Your Pet and You'

  • View Gallery

    Monkey and Puppy Share Lollipop

  • Photos
  • Breeds
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Nutrition
  • Lifestyle
  • Behavior
  • Grooming
  • View Gallery

    Cat vs. Banana Peel

  • View Gallery

    Good Morning Gifs: May 17th, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Mystery Surrounds Discovery of Newborn Kittens at Prison

  • View Gallery

    Cat Returns From the 'Dead' in Case of Mistaken Identity

  • Photos
  • Pets A-Z
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Causes
  • Wild Animals
  • Lifestyle
  • View Gallery

    Cop Pauses High-Speed Chase to Let Ducklings Cross

  • View Gallery

    Weekly Adorbs for May 13-17, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Shocked Group Finds 7-ft Moose Swimming in a Private Pool in Washington

  • View Gallery

    Donkey Mother and Foal Walk Free Thanks to Rescuers in Serbia

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Birds
  • Celebs
  • Talented
  • Weird
  • View Gallery

    Weekly Adorbs for May 13-17, 2013

  • View Gallery

    Top 10 US Cities for Dogs Ranked

  • View Gallery

    Dog Belonging to Fugitive Murder Suspect Could Provide Clues

  • View Gallery

    Mystery Surrounds Discovery of Newborn Kittens at Prison

  • View All
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Editor's Favorites
  • View Video

    Cat vs. Banana Peel

  • View Video

    Cop Pauses High-Speed Chase to Let Ducklings Cross

  • View Video

    Shocked Group Finds 7-ft Moose Swimming in a Private Pool in Washington

  • View Video

    'Goat Lucky' Mashes Up Daft Punk and Screaming Goats

Get in the game
This Week's Top Leaders.
  • 1. Teddy Quakertown, PA
  • 2. Nora Sunshine Chicago, IL
  • 3. Joe Shoals, IN
  • 4. ROMEO Ft. Worth, TX
  • 5. ChewChew New York, NY
  • Which Animals Have Become Extinct Because of Human Actions?

  • Silver Dollar Fish Compatibility With Goldfish

  • How to Care for Baby Percula Clown Fish

  • Will a Fish's Tail & Fin Regrow?

  • Discus Fish Lighting Requirements

All Pets

  • Facebook
  • Follow us on Twitter
  • Follow @paw_nation
  • Follow @ChopperInCharge
  • Follow @CairoInControl
  • Photos
  • Pets A-Z
  • Health
  • Adoption
  • Causes
  • Wild Animals
  • Lifestyle

Orangutan Uses Toothbrush, Brushes Teeth to Keep Mouth Fresh

the daily dish More on PawNation: Exotic, Funny, Orangutans, Talented, The Dish, Weird, Zoo

By Kelli Bender Nov 20, 2012

  • JURGEN FREUND / CATERS NEWS
    1 of 6

    Animals are just like us — they care about plaque buildup and minty breath, too! According to the Daily Mail U.K., an orangutan at the Tanjung Puting National Park in Borneo, Indonesia, loves staying fresh by brushing her teeth.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • JURGEN FREUND / CATERS NEWS
    2 of 6

    34-year-old Siswi has a morning routine like most humans, brushing her teeth between sleepy yawns. The orangutan brushes often, so visitors usually spot her with a mouth full of foam.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • JURGEN FREUND / CATERS NEWS
    3 of 6

    Watching Siswi in action reminds many visitors how similar primates and humans can be. While genetics may be part of the reason for this, the animals are also quick to pick up on human traits.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • JURGEN FREUND / CATERS NEWS
    4 of 6

    The photographer of these candid snaps, Jurgen Freund, believes that the primates at this National Park pick up behaviors from the numerous visitors.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • JURGEN FREUND / CATERS NEWS
    5 of 6

    "Tourists visit these remote places in river boats, and as much as we ogle at them, they learn and imitate our behaviors in the most uncanny manner," Freund shared with the Daily Mail U.K.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend
  • JURGEN FREUND / CATERS NEWS
    6 of 6
    Next: Awkward Family Pet ... Monkeys?!

    We don't know who was brushing their teeth in front of the orangutan exhibit, but it is amusing to learn the animals are picking up good hygiene habits.

    • More
      • Share on Tumblr
      • Pin It
      • Email to a friend

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum
8

9 Comments

Filter by:
Phil Smith

Main page photo looked like Kim K.

November 20 2012 at 6:25 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
ntdaven

He uses it because of the toothpaste flavor folks....get real. It's an animal.

November 20 2012 at 5:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to ntdaven's comment
yea..ok

LMAO XD

November 20 2012 at 6:27 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
oujoou

That is ONE beautiful animal. :)

November 20 2012 at 4:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
doggydik

but can it use toilet paper? (the real test)

November 20 2012 at 4:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
Janice

I just love animals. They never cease to amaze me. I wish they'd give this guy a new toothbrush and some Crest Optic White. He'd have the brightest smile in the zoo. lol

November 20 2012 at 4:31 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
rawkstar4179

"The photographer of these candid snaps, Jurgen Freund, believes that the primates at this National Park pick up behaviors from the numerous visitors."

Um, how many of these visitors are standing at the orang area when they decide "Hmm, my breath isn't as fresh as it could be ... I should brush my teeth *RIGHT NOW*!!"

November 20 2012 at 4:22 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
gregoryaicm

even me. good job

November 20 2012 at 4:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply
sylvabugg2

The orangutan has better dental hygiene than some humans!

November 20 2012 at 4:14 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Who is Cutest?

Luke KitKat
Vote Now

Get your daily dose of PawNation by signing up for the Newsletter!

Thanks. You're pawesome.
More Cuteness

More on PawNation

  • Ask A Vet Get answers.
  • Pets Taking Bubble Baths LOL
  • Dogs Are Better Than Boyfriends Why?
  • Is Your Dog Sick? Check symptoms.
  • !2 Craziest Mutant Animals Wow!
  • Play The "Who's Cutest" Game Vote now!

From:

  • Photos: Top 10 Dogs for Kids
  • Chocolate Toxicity Meter for Dogs
  • Why Do Dogs Eat Grass
  • Are You Overfeeding Your Cat?

From:

  • Does Your Pet Have Cancer? 6 Signs to Look For
  • The Biggest Pet Threat as the Weather Warms Up
  • Travel Tips For You and Your Pet
  • Flea-Proof Your Pets
  • Get Fit for Summer With Your Pet

From:

  • 11 Cat Breeds With Funny Names
  • 8 Animal Movies We Love
  • Dog Cares for Trapped Kitten
  • Service Dog Becomes Celebrity
  • 20 Hottest Dog Breeds in America

From:

  • Gentle Giants: Big Dogs That Are Big Softies
  • 25 Funny Dog And Cat Demotivational Signs
  • Cat Has Infatuation With Straws
  • 18 Dogs That Make You Smile
  • Pawnation
  • Cute & Funny
  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • All Pets
  • Animals
  • News
  • Video
  • Who's Cutest

Most Pawpular:

  • Breaking Bad News With Baby Animals
  • German Fisherman Catches Record-Breaking 103-Pound Codfish
  • Cat Returns From the 'Dead' in Case of Mistaken Identity
  • Adorable Kitten Freaked Out by Lizard
  • 40 Bald Eagles Descend on a Pickup While Its Owner Is Shopping

Most Recent:

  • Cat vs. Banana Peel
  • Weekly Adorbs for May 13-17, 2013
  • Dog Belonging to Fugitive Murder Suspect Could Provide Clues
  • Cat Returns From the 'Dead' in Case of Mistaken Identity
  • Donkey Mother and Foal Walk Free Thanks to Rescuers in Serbia

Follow PawNation

Never miss a single purr or woof
Sign up here for newsletter

Thanks. You're pawesome.
  • User Agreement
  • Privacy
  • Send Feedback
  • About our Ads
  • Copyright Notices
  • Community Guidelines
  • Media/PR Inquiries
  • © 2013 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
AOL Family
BermanBraun