Western Gorilla
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Suborder
Infraorder
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Gorilla gorilla
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
35-50 years
Top speed
40
25
km/hmph
km/h mph 
Weight
80-157
176-345.4
kglbs
kg lbs 
Height
135-155
53.1-61
cminch
cm inch 

The Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is a great ape found in Africa, one of two species of the hominid genus Gorilla. Two subspecies are recognized and both are listed Critically Endangered.

Appearance

The Western gorilla is a massive primate species with a short muzzle, proportionately large hands, and a projecting brow ridge. They lack tails, have small ears and eyes, large nostrils, and jet black skin. They have quite a large thumb and nails on all digits. They have large muscles on their jaws as well as strong, broad teeth. The whole body, with the exception of the face, ears, hands, and feet, is covered with dark tough fur. The fur of Western gorillas is brown to grey in color. Older male gorillas are called "silverbacks" due to the hair on their back and rump, which is originally grey, losing with age.

Video

Distribution

Geography

The animals occur in tropical jungles, forests, lowland swamps, and secondary forests of West Central Africa.

Western Gorilla habitat map

Climate zones

Western Gorilla habitat map
Western Gorilla
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Habits and Lifestyle

Western gorillas are highly social animals, gathering in groups of 5-15 individuals. A group usually consists of females with their young and one dominant male. They get around by walking on their four limbs. Western gorillas are active by day. They construct day and night nests where they rest and sleep. Their nests are soft cushions, built on the ground or in trees, out of branches and leaves. Lightweight gorillas tend to hang out of tree branches, using their arms. Normally, these animals are quite peaceful, friendly, and shy. However, they emit loud growling sounds and can be extremely dangerous, when threatened or attacked. In order to scare away intruders or demonstrate their strength, male gorillas stand straight, beating their chests with their fists. Nevertheless, they don't tend to hit the opponent, instead preferring to retreat and then charge again.

Seasonal behavior

Diet and Nutrition

Western gorillas are herbivorous (folivorous) animals. Their diet primarily consists of juicy stemmed plants, complemented by berries, ferns, bark, and leaves.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
year-round
PREGNANCY DURATION
251-289 days
BABY CARRYING
1 infant
INDEPENDENT AGE
3 years
FEMALE NAME
female
MALE NAME
male
BABY NAME
infant

Western gorillas have a polygynous mating system with the only dominant male, mating with females of the group. They breed all year round. The gestation period lasts 251-289 days, yielding a single baby, rarely - twins. The infant is kept belly-to-belly to its mother, until the age of 2 months, when the baby is mature and strong enough to be able to cling onto the mother's fur. Weaning takes place at the age of 3 years. Male gorillas are sexually mature at 8-9 years old, while females are a bit earlier - at the age of 7-8 years.

Population

Population threats

These animals are primarily threatened by human activities. For over a century, Western gorillas have suffered from the degradation of their tropical rainforest habitat. They have been persecuted, hunted for meat and big games, and captured for commercial trade. On the other hand, excessive collection by zoos and research institutions has brought to a sharp decline in their population, making the animal an endangered species. Presently, one of the most notable threats to this species is the Ebola virus: despite the conservation status, outbreaks of this virus are still a serious concern for the Western gorillas' population.

Population number

The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Western gorilla total population size. Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.

Ecological niche

Western gorillas are an important link in the ecosystem of their habitat. They are key seed dispersers of tropical rainforests, creating suitable places for the seeds to grow and thus sustaining a number of plant species. By doing this, they benefit many other animals in the area and even help sustain the habitat of humans, who live in and around the forests.

Fun Facts for Kids

  • According to scientific studies, gorillas can show emotions such as grief and even have individual personalities.
  • In 2005, these animals were first time seen using tools, when performing a task. Before crossing swampy areas with muddy water, they would use sticks to determine the water depth.
  • These highly intelligent primates are able to learn sign language.
  • They build nests or beds, where they spend their time, resting or sleeping. Young individuals usually nest in trees while older gorillas tend to construct their nests on the ground.
  • These animals have very little water requirements. They don't drink water from rivers or lakes, instead attaining all needed moisture from their food as well as morning dew.
  • Their arms are considerably longer than their legs, so when a gorilla walks on all four limbs, it remains upright.

Coloring Pages

References

1. Western Gorilla Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_gorilla
2. Western Gorilla on The IUCN Red List site - http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/9404/0

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