Interesting Gorilla Facts That Will Amaze You

Gorilla species and subspecies

Gorillas are the largest primate in the world that inhabits tropical forests in the central, eastern and western parts of Africa.  Gorillas share 98.3% of their genetic code with humans; they display many human-like behaviors and emotions, such as laughter and sadness. gorilla live in family groups of usually 5 to 10, but sometimes two to more than 50, led by a dominant male who holds his position for years. Gorillas are divided into two species and each species is the further divided two thereby making four subspecies.

The Western Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla) lives in West Africa, west of the Congo River and has two subspecies:

• Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla)

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western lowland gorilla is the most widespread of all gorilla subspecies with a population of more than 100,000. It is native to Cameroon, Angola, Central African Republic, Gabon, Congo and Equatorial Guinea, and is considered extinct in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Western lowland gorillas can be distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their slightly smaller size, their brown-grey coats, and auburn chests. They also have wider skulls with more pronounced brow ridges and smaller ears. They are popular and usually the one found in parks and zoos.

Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla Diehli)         

                                                                          

 

 

 

Critically endangered with a population less than 300, Cross River Gorilla is the most threatened of all subspecies.  Rarely seen, it lives in a region between Nigeria (Afi Mountains, Cross River National Park) and Cameroon (the Mbe Mountains, Takamanda National Park). Their body is robust and powerful, with a slightly elongated head and a pronounced brow ridge. However, their skull is slightly shorter than the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), and their mouth is not as big as other subspecies. On average, they are 1.65 to 1.75 meters height and weigh between 140 and 200 kilograms. Females reach an average height of 1.40 meters and a weight of about 100 kg. Both genders have a dark fur over the whole body except the face, ears, hands and feet.

The Eastern Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei) lives in the eastern Africa, east of the Congo River and has two subspecies:

• Eastern Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Beringei graueri).

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

With a population less than 4000 they are endangered. The eastern lowland gorilla is found only in the montane forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Maiko National Park, Kahuzi-Biega National Park, the Tayna Gorilla Reserve and Itombwe Mountains region. Eastern lowland is the largest of all subspecies; it is distinguished from other gorillas by a stocky body, large hands and a short muzzle, their thumbs are longer than the rest of the finger. Their dark fur coat is shorter than the mountain gorilla, and the hair is absent in the face, hands, feet, and ears. There is sexual dimorphism as males are larger and heavier than females; on average, an adult male height is 1.69 meters and weighs 220 kilograms, while adult females are about 1.60 meters height and weight little more than 81 kg. The largest eastern lowland gorillas are in zoos, and they can reach more than 250 kilograms.

Mountain Gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mountain gorilla has their name for a reason; they live in forests high in the mountains, at elevations of 1,500m- 4000m) In Rwanda (Volcanoes National Park), Uganda (Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mugahinga National Park) and DRC (Virunga National Park).  Critically endangered with population less than 1200 is the most known subspecies, thanks to the research and conservation work done by Dian Fossey in the 1980s.  The mountain gorilla has longer, thicker and darker fur than its lowland relatives because it lives in high altitudes and a cold climate. Also, the mountain gorilla’s arms are shorter, but its nose, teeth and jaw are larger than that of other gorillas. Fully-grown silverback mountain gorillas can weigh up to 200kg and Females weigh half that at about 90-100 kg. Aside from the silver stripe on their backs, male mountain gorillas are distinguished from females because they have a crest of fur on their heads.

 These large animals are social and live in flexible family groups with 2 to 20 individual approximately. A gorilla will never chase you when you are facing it and looking directly into its eyes. However, you should know that those who challenge the alpha male are apt to be cowed by impressive shows of physical power. He may stand upright, throw things, make aggressive charges, and pound his huge chest while barking out powerful hoots or unleashing a frightening roar and mothers will fight to the death to protect their young.

Email us for your Gorilla trekking packages from 1 day to 5 days

At [email protected]

Source content:

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/9404/0

http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/39994/0

https://seaworld.org/animal-info/animal-infobooks/gorilla/scientific-classification

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/western-lowland-gorilla#