A Journey Through the World of Gorilla Species – Exploring the Varieties
A journey through the world of gorilla species quotes – The world’s biggest gorilla – How many mountain gorillas are left in the world – Gorilla footprint size – How many types of gorillas are there – A gorilla – Cross River gorilla – Gorilla Endangered Status
Gorillas come in various types, each species showcasing its own distinctive characteristics. Gorillas stand out as the largest species of primates on our planet.
They exhibit numerous behaviors reminiscent of humans and possess a significant amount of shared DNA with us.
In the world, you can find two remarkable species of gorillas: the Western Gorilla and the Eastern Gorilla.
Two of its subspecies are widely acknowledged by researchers.
The western gorilla species includes the western lowland gorillas and the cross river gorillas, whereas the eastern gorilla is divided into eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas.
Majestic mountain gorillas – Varieties of Gorillas
Mountain gorillas faced a dire situation, with fewer than 900 individuals remaining in the wild.
Their numbers exceeded 1000 in the most recent gorilla census.
Mountain gorillas faced the brink of extinction in the 19th century, but thanks to the relentless dedication of Dian Fossey, an American primatologist, their survival was secured, even though her commitment ultimately cost her life in 1985.
She met her tragic end at the hands of ruthless poachers.
Mountain gorillas inhabit only the breathtaking landscapes of Uganda, Rwanda, and Congo, specifically in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. They are truly unique to these regions, found nowhere else on the planet.
Mgahinga, Volcanoes, and Virunga all come together in the Virunga Conservation Area, a region that encompasses the majestic 8 Virunga Mountains.
This is the typical type of gorilla that adventurers encounter on their thrilling trekking tours.
Mountain gorillas are a captivating and rare species, scientifically referred to as Gorilla Beringe Beringei.
The name Beringe comes from Captain Robert Von Beringe Friedrich, who in 1902 encountered two previously unknown animals, which turned out to be mountain gorillas.
Mountain gorillas boast longer, denser fur and thicker skin than their eastern lowland counterparts, and their habitats are distinct as well.
Male mountain gorillas showcase a striking silver coat on their thighs and backs. Their backs are adorned with shorter hair.
The time it takes for mountain gorillas to develop before birth is between 8 to 9 months.
Female mountain gorillas reach sexual maturity at a young age, yet their fertility window is limited to just 1-2 days each month, resulting in a notably low birth rate.
Similar to human infants, gorilla infants are born weighing around 2 kilograms and hold onto their mother’s backs for up to 4 years, relying entirely on breast milk for nourishment.
The powerful silverbacks lead the daily lives of their group, ensuring their safety and guiding their adventures.
They constantly battle to safeguard their loved ones, even if it means risking their own lives.
Mountain gorillas primarily feast on a plant-based diet, but they sometimes enhance their meals with a few insects, termites, and larvae for a little extra variety.
Eastern lowland gorillas
Eastern lowland gorillas are remarkable creatures that embody the spirit of exploration and the wild. Their existence invites curiosity and wonder, showcasing the beauty of nature in its most untamed form.
3 Days of Exploring the Lowland Gorillas in Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park
The eastern lowland gorilla, or Gorilla Beringei Graueri, stands as the largest among the gorilla species.
The scientific name comes from an Austrian scientist named Rudolf Grauer, who first discovered the species in the nineteenth century.
Eastern lowland gorillas inhabit the captivating landscapes of Kahuzi-Beiga National Park, Maiko National Park, the Itombwe mountains region, and Tayna Gorilla Reserve.
This gorilla species primarily resides in lush lowland and towering mountain tropical forests. Eastern lowland gorillas thrive in zoos, in contrast to their mountain counterparts.
The dark fur coat of eastern lowland gorillas is more compact compared to that of mountain gorillas.
Their skull is impressively large in relation to their body size.
Eastern lowland gorilla males can reach weights of up to 250 kilograms.
Western lowland gorillas 4 Days of trekking through the Congo to encounter lowland gorillas and a visit to the Lwiro chimpanzees
The western lowland gorillas inhabit the lush landscapes of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Angola, Cameroon, Gabon, and Equatorial Guinea.
Western lowland gorillas can tip the scales at an impressive 270 kilograms or even more while residing in zoos.
Western lowland gorillas are the smallest subspecies of gorillas, featuring skin adorned with a captivating greyish-brown fur.
The females develop striking silver hair on their backs and upper thighs as they grow older.
Western lowland gorillas thrive in zoos, showcasing their resilience in captivity.
Western lowland gorillas thrive in dynamic groups led by a formidable adult male “silverback,” who takes charge and holds exclusive rights to all decision-making within the troop.
Female western lowland gorillas experience a brief window of fertility, lasting just 1-3 days each month, and they reach reproductive maturity around the age of 9-10 years.
Western gorillas
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Western gorillas are categorized into two fascinating subspecies: the cross river gorillas and the western lowland gorillas.
They thrive on a diet of leaves, shoots, vegetation, buds, stems, and fruits, with the occasional treat of termites, ants, worms, and grubs.
This species of gorillas inhabits regions in Cameroon, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic, Gabon, and Congo, thriving in swampy forests, lowland tropical forests, as well as primary and secondary forests.
Male western gorillas can tip the scales at 157 kilograms, while females can reach up to 80 kilograms.
They possess robust muscles in the jaw region. Their muzzle is short and can traverse up to 4 kilometers in a day in search of sustenance.
Cross River gorillas
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The Cross River gorilla is also referred to as Gorilla Gorilla Dielhi.
Discovered as a new species in 1904, they remained shrouded in mystery until the exciting research of the 1980s unveiled more about them.
Males can reach heights of 1.75 meters and weigh as much as 200 kilograms, whereas females can grow to 1.40 meters tall and weigh up to 100 kilograms.
The Cross River gorilla stands as one of the rarest among gorilla species, with only about 200 individuals remaining in their natural habitat.
The gestation period for females lasts around 8-9 months, and similar to other gorillas, they are guided by an alpha silverback who orchestrates the group’s daily adventures.
Eastern gorillas
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Eastern gorillas are often referred to as gorilla Beringei.
There are two fascinating subspecies: the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla.
The eastern lowland gorilla boasts impressive weights, with males ranging from 140 to 200 kilograms and females reaching between 90 and 100 kilograms.
Eastern gorillas develop a striking layer of silver hair on their backs as they mature, which gives them the name silverbacks.
This species thrives in Uganda, Rwanda, and the western regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo, residing within the majestic Virunga ranges.
Eastern gorillas are active during the day, dedicating around 30 percent of their time to foraging for food and 40 percent to unwinding.
They create cozy homes high in the trees or on the ground where they rest peacefully. Every day brings the creation of new nests.
Even though the males engage in multiple partnerships, it is only the leading male who has the opportunity to mate with the females in the group.
Any young individual seeking to secure mating rights must confront the powerful silverback, either emerging victorious or leaving their birth group to forge a new path on their own.
