Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) lives in forest across Central and Eastern Africa. It feeds on leaves and fruits. Its conservation status is Critically Endangered.
Fascinating facts about the Gorilla
- A male western gorilla can stand as tall as a two-story house, reaching up to 1.76 m (5.8 ft) and weighing between 145 kg and 191 kg (320-421 lb). In the wild the average male tips the scales at about 180 kg, while captive males edge higher at 157 kg (346 lb).
- Female western gorillas give birth only once every six to eight years, a pace set by a nine-month gestation, a three-year nursing period, and high infant mortality. This long interval means population growth is painfully slow, leaving the species vulnerable to poaching and disease because each lost mother removes years of future offspring from the gene pool.
- Western gorillas are not just gentle giants; they can wield tools and even throw sticks when threatened. A 2007 study recorded several instances of gorillas hurling sticks and clumps of grass at humans, and a mirror test in Gabon showed silverbacks reacting aggressively to their reflections.
- A western gorilla troop may claim up to 30 km² (12 sq mi) of forest, but they only expand that footprint when fruit is plentiful. Fruit makes up most of their diet in bounty seasons, prompting longer travel and larger foraging ranges, while in lean dry months they switch to low-quality leaves and bark. This flexible feeding strategy ties their movements directly to seasonal fruit availability, highlighting how forest health and fruiting patterns dictate their space use.
- Approximately 276,000 western lowland gorillas still roam the forests, yet their nearest cousins, the Cross River gorillas, number barely three hundred individuals.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeCentral and Eastern Africa
HabitatForest
DietLeaves and fruits
About the Gorilla
In the mist-shrouded heart of the African jungle, the western lowland gorilla moves with a deliberate, gentle majesty, its massive frame gliding effortlessly across the forest floor as it forages for leaves and shoots. As it navigates its domain, the gorilla's piercing eyes seem to hold a deep wisdom, a sense of ancient knowledge gleaned from generations of living in harmony with the natural world. With each powerful stride, the gorilla embodies a profound and abiding connection to the land, a connection that is both beautiful and fragile, a reminder of the delicate balance that exists between these incredible creatures and the fragile ecosystem they inhabit.
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