Types of gorillas
Gorillas are bulky animals that dwell on the ground and are found in the tropical rainforests of equatorial Africa.
Some of the countries where gorillas are found are Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
Gorillas share a DNA of 98%with human beings. They belong to kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia and order of primates.
Gorillas grow reaching at a height between 1.25m to 1.8m and a male gorilla can weigh from 100kg to 270kg and adult female weighs from 80kg to 100kg.
Gorillas can live for up to 35 to 40 years. They live in families or groups headed by a dominant silverback who takes on all family decisions like choosing eating and sleeping time, mates with females and protects the family from enemies.
Gorillas feed on vegetation such as leaves, shoots, roots, barks, fruits, among others.
A female gorilla eats about 18kg of vegetation per day while a male gorilla eats about 30kg of vegetation per day
Types of gorillas
There are two species of gorilla’s i.e. Eastern gorilla and Western gorilla
- Eastern gorilla
Eastern gorillas are the largest living primates found in tropical rainforests of Africa.
Eastern gorillas are also known as the Gorilla beringei and they subdivide in to two sub species which include the Eastern lowland gorillas and the mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas are one of the most endangered primates and their threats are mainly habitat loss , diseases and poaching .
There are about 1063 individuals of mountain gorillas in the wild. The mountain gorillas habit the high altitudes of about 8000ft to 13000ft in the Virunga massif .
Mountain gorillas are found in Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo .
The scientific name for mountain gorillas is gorilla beringei beringei
The physical characteristics of Mountain gorillas are thick fur which protects them from cold weather , muscular arms , massive chest , broad hands and feet among others.
The Eastern lowland gorillas are also called Gravers gorilla and they are found in the tropical rainforests of Democratic Republic of Congo .
The Eastern lowland gorillas are habited in Kahuzi Biega and Maiko National parks .
There are about 6000 eastern lowland gorillas remaining in the wild and they are as well widely endangered due t habitat destruction , poaching and diseases.
The physical characteristics of eastern lowland gorillas are they have jet black coat , shorter hair on the head and body among others.
- Western gorilla
Western gorillas are the second largest primates after eastern gorillas .
They are found in mid west Africa and comprise of 2 subspecies of the western lowland gorilla and the cross river gorilla.
Western lowland gorilla is known as Gorilla gorilla gorilla scientifically . They are found in the countries of Angola , Cameroon , Central African Republic , Republic of Congo , Equatorial Guinea among others .
There are about 276000 western lowland gorilla individuals remaining in the wild .
The western lowland gorillas are the smallest among all the gorilla subspecies .
Physical characteristics of western lowland gorillas are they have large hands , have short muzzles , prominent brow ridges etc. .
Cross river gorillas are found around Cameroon –Nigeria border region . There are about 250 to 300 cross river gorilla individuals . The scientific name of cross river is Gorilla gorilla Delhi.
In conclusion gorillas are peacefully and gentle creatures and they never attack humans unless threatened.
