Eastern gorillas are the largest primates known and are a species of the genus Gorilla. They belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, and the order Primates.
Eastern gorillas inhabit the tropical and montane forests of East and Central Africa. They are divided into two subspecies: the Eastern lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla.
Mountain Gorillas
Mountain gorillas are found in the Virunga Massif in Uganda, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The national parks where they live include Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Mgahinga National Park in Uganda, Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda, and Kahuzi-Biega National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
There are about 1,063 mountain gorillas left in the wild, making them the most endangered primates due to poaching, habitat destruction, and diseases. Mountain gorillas live in the mountains at altitudes of about 2,200m to 4,300m above sea level.
Eastern Lowland Gorillas
Eastern lowland gorillas are found in the Democratic Republic of Congo, specifically in Maiko National Park, Hombwe Massif, and Tayna Gorilla Reserve.
There are approximately 6,000 individuals left in the wild. They live in both lowland and mountainous parts of Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Like mountain gorillas, they are critically endangered due to habitat loss, poaching, diseases, and a low reproduction rate.
Physical Characteristics of Eastern Gorillas
Eastern gorillas are very large animals with broad chests, large heads, long arms, and flat noses with large nostrils. They have black fur, although adult males develop a silvery saddle on their backs, making them silverbacks.
A male adult gorilla can weigh up to 200kg, while a female adult gorilla can weigh up to 100kg.
Behavior of Eastern Gorillas
Eastern gorillas are highly social animals that live in groups called families. Each family consists of about 4 to 30 individuals, led by a dominant silverback.
The silverback is responsible for mating with females, making decisions for the group, and protecting the group in case of danger.
What Eastern Gorillas Feed On
Eastern gorillas are herbivorous animals that feed on vegetation such as leaves, shoots, roots, fruits, and stems. An adult gorilla can consume about 18kg of vegetation daily.
Eastern Gorilla Vocalizations
Eastern gorillas produce about 25 vocalizations that are essential for their social behavior and interactions. These include roars, barks, grumbles, chirps, pants, hums, and screams, among others.
Differences Between Eastern Gorillas and Western Gorillas
- Eastern gorillas are larger than western gorillas. An adult male Eastern gorilla weighs about 205kg, while an adult female weighs about 100kg.
- Eastern gorillas have darker fur compared to western gorillas.
- Eastern gorillas have long faces and broad chests, while western gorillas have smaller chests.
- Eastern gorillas live in the tropical rainforests of Central Africa, while western gorillas live in mid-west Africa, including Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Eastern gorillas are unique creatures that offer a remarkable experience when trekking them.
