West lowland gorilla8/2/2023 Like their hands, their feet have opposable thumbs and toes. Gorilla hands and feet are large, with leathery palms and soles, and broad, flat nails Their hands are very dexterous and can pick up small, delicate objects. Gorillas’ faces, hands, and feet are bare, but the rest of their bodies are covered with short, thin hair. Their molars have complicated patterns of cups and ridges that facilitate chewing of tough plant fibers. Gorillas have 32 teeth, including sharp canines used for defense and breaking through vegetation. Researchers use these noseprints as identification markers in their studies, both in zoological settings and in the wild. The wrinkles on a gorilla’s nose, known as a noseprint, are like human fingerprints, and every individual’s noseprint is unique. Gorillas have a prominent brow ridge, small, flat ears, and hear about the same as humans. The vision and perception of western lowland gorillas is similar to that of humans. This crest serves as the foundation for attachment of a great number of jaw muscle fibers, which allows for the chewing power needed to process tough vegetation. The males’ heads are large and pointed due to the sagittal crest that forms the back of the top of the head. Females are a bit smaller, standing between 4’7” to 4’11”. Males can be between 350 and 450 pounds, almost twice as much as females, weighing in between 150 and 250 pounds. Gorillas are the largest of all primates and reach physical maturity between 12 and 15 years of age. They are also able to stand on two legs for short periods of time. ![]() This means that they primarily live on the ground, although they do occasionally climb trees to feed and nest. The species is diurnal, which means they are active during the day, and of all the great apes, gorillas are the most terrestrial. In all gorillas, males develop silver coloration along their backs as they mature. Eastern gorillas tend to be black in color and larger in size. Western gorillas can be distinguished from other gorilla subspecies by their brownish-gray hair, auburn-colored crests and overall smaller size. ![]() The two species are eastern and western, and the four sub-species are Cross River and Western Lowland (are sub-species of the Western species) and Grauer’s and Mountain (are sub-species of the Eastern species). ![]() Unlike their eastern cousins, western gorillas are hunted for bushmeat, and in recent years the spread of the Ebola virus has devastated the gorilla population.There are two species of gorilla, each containing two subspecies. But as the logging industry engulfs the forest, bringing roads, hunters and disease, the western lowland gorillas’ long-term future has been thrown into uncertainty. Until recently, conservationists were less concerned about the long-term future of the western lowland gorilla as their vast forest home created a natural boundary between them and their human neighbours. Habitat loss, hunting for bushmeat, disease (especially the Ebola virus), logging, mining Widespread throughout west and central Africa They also eat leaves, shoots, bark, ants and other insects. Like all gorillas, they are largely herbivorous, but western gorillas are particularly fond of fruit, which makes up most of their diet when available. Western lowland gorillas live in family groups led by a dominant silverback, but unlike eastern gorillas, the group will often split up during the day, coming back together at night to nest. They often have much redder or greyer fur, adult males have striking chestnut fur on their head and neck, and the characteristic fur on their back extends further down their thighs giving them a more full-bodied silver look. Western lowland gorillas are smaller than their eastern cousins – although adult males can still weigh up to 180kg (28st 4lb). Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic
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