Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Hominidae Scientific Name : 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
- The Western Gorilla is a great ape that lives in the jungles of Africa.
- Western Gorillas look daunting, are huge, heavy and dark brown or black in colour.
- They are omnivorous, usually eating fruits but also eat leaves, nuts and small animals.
- Their opposable thumbs make it easy for them to pluck and peel fruits.
- Western Gorillas are diurnal animals, active during the day and resting at night.
- They have very few predators such as crocodiles or large cats such as leopards.
- When threatened they stand up, beat their chests and make rumbling noises to intimidate.
- Usually Western Gorillas are peaceful creatures by nature who don’t attack or fight unnecessarily.
- They are not territorial, travelling long distances as a group in search of food.
- Western Gorillas are intelligent enough to fashion tools and use them for gathering food.
- Western Gorillas are social animals and live in groups of 2 – 20 called troops.
- Western Gorillas communicate with each other through gestures, vocalization, movements and posturing.
- Each group consists of an alpha male, a few females and their offspring.
- Gestation period is approximately 8 -9 months and usually only one baby is born.
- Babies are cared for solely by the mothers for about 3 – 4 years.
- Upon maturing, both male and female Western Gorillas leave their groups to join others.
- Western Gorillas are endangered due to poaching and loss of habitat due to deforestation.
- Western Gorillas are polygamous and can live for about 40 years on an average.