Common Name
Western Lowland Gorilla
Species
Gorilla gorilla
IUCN Status
Endangered
Common Classification
Great Ape
Range Countries
Cameroon, CAR, Congo, DRC, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Angola
Habitat
Inhabit bamboo, lowland tropical rainforest, montane tropical rainforest, dense primary and secondary forest and lowland swamp.
Physical Characteristics
- Head and Body length: male – 1700 mm; female – 1500 mm
- Weight: male – 169.5 kg; female – 71.5 kg
Distinguishing features
Coats are brown gray, top of the head is brown, adult males can be distinguished because they have a silver back, enlarged sagittal crest.
LEARN MORE: Get more information about gorillas, including video and photos
Diet
Primarily eat fruit, but supplement diet with seeds, leaves, stems, pith, termites, caterpillars, insect larvae and other animal prey.
Behavior
Diurnal, terrestrial but can climb trees, typically form groups of 3 to 21 individuals, typical group has 1 dominant "silverback" male and is predominantly female, threat displays include chest beating, hooting, and vegetation throwing.
Threats
Species threats include habitat destruction and hunting for food consumption
Explore More Primates