Orangutans like the other great apes build nests suspended in the trees for rest (Kaplan & Rogers 1994). Nests are used during the night for sleeping as well as for rest during the day (Anbel-Simons 2000; Kaplan & Rogers 1994).

Nests are constructed using a resting platform of branches and then filled in with other leaves. Orangutans will also often pull together overhead branches as well for protection from the rain. Typically orangutans will construct a new nest each day, occasionally however, an old nest will be re-used (Anbel-Simons 2000; Nowak 1999).