16 Interesting Facts You Should Know About Western Lowland Gorilla

              Kingdom : Animalia
                     Class : Mammalia
                  Family : Hominidae
   Scientific Name : Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla

                 Size(H) : 1.4m - 1.7m 
                                  (4.7ft - 5.5ft)
                 Weight : 100kg - 200kg 
                                  (220lbs - 440lbs)
           Top Speed : 40km/h (25mph)
            Life Span : 35 - 50 years

                Colour : Black, Grey
           Skin Type : Hair
Special Features : Large head and
                                long arms

1. The Western Lowland Gorilla is a mammal found in the forests of Africa.
2. It is slightly smaller than other gorillas, with dark fur and small eyes.
3. They live in groups on the jungle floor although they can climb trees.
4. Troops consists of one male leader called silver backs, younger males, females and babies.
5. The leader can be identified by the patch of silver fur on his back.
6. The leader organizes the daily activities of his group like eating, resting, travelling etc.
7. They usually eat fruits but also eat leaves, nuts, small animals and insects.
8. They are intelligent animals and even fashion tools on their own for gathering food.
9. They have also been taught sign language and respond well to human training.
10. Although they look fearsome they are wary of humans and tend to keep away.
11. Main predators of the Western Lowland Gorilla are large cats like leopards and crocodiles.
12. Gestation period of these Gorillas is 9 months and average litter size is 1.
13. Young gorillas often behave like small children – climbing trees, chasing one another and playing.
14. They are critically endangered as they face threats due to hunting and habitat loss.
15. They are prone to diseases and Ebola has recently killed many of these gorillas.
16. Western Lowland Gorillas have a lifespan of 35 – 50 years on an average.