What is the heaviest animal that lives in a tree? 

An animal that lives in a tree (tree-dwelling) is an arboreal animal. 

If an arboreal animal is too heavy, the tree branches might break.

The Orangutan is the heaviest tree-dwelling animal. There are three species of Orangutans: Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii), and Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) in the Hominidae family. They are all found in the rainforests of south-east Asia.

The male Orangutan is heavier than the female Orangutan. The adult male weighs up to 75 kilograms (165 pounds), whereas the adult female weighs about 37 kilograms (82 pounds).

The Orangutan measures about 115-150 centimetres (45-57 inches) tall. Its arms are about 200 centimetres (78 inches) long. 

So, even though the Orangutan is tall and heavy, it is adapted to living in trees.

Location of photographs: Paris Zoo, France

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM