Gorilla

Gorillas are large, herbivorous great apes found in the tropical forests of equatorial Africa.

They are the largest living primates on Earth. These animals are remarkably close biological relatives to humans. Human DNA is between 96% and 99% similar to gorilla DNA. This genetic connection makes them the next closest living relatives to humans after bonobos and chimpanzees. Because of their size and intelligence, they are a major focus of biological study.

Gorillas move through their environment in several specific ways. Most often, they use a method called knuckle-walking. This involves supporting their weight on their knuckles while moving on all fours.

However, recent studies show they are more flexible than once thought. In Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, researchers found mountain gorillas use their fists, palms, and the backs of their hands. They can also walk upright for short distances, such as when carrying food or in defensive situations.

While often seen on the ground, some gorillas also spend significant time climbing trees to feed on leaves.

Scientists classify gorillas into two main species: the western gorilla and the eastern gorilla.

Each species is further divided into subspecies. For example, the eastern species includes the mountain gorilla and the eastern lowland gorilla. The western species includes the western lowland gorilla and the Cross River gorilla. These groups are separated geographically, often by the Congo River. Differences between them include hair color, size, and facial width. The eastern gorilla typically has darker fur and a longer face than the western gorilla.

Human history with the name "gorilla" stretches back thousands of years. The term originated from Hanno the Navigator, a Carthaginian explorer around 500 BC. He encountered hairy people on the West African coast whom his interpreters called "Gorillae." It is unclear if he saw actual gorillas or another species. Much later, in 1847, Thomas Staughton Savage and Jeffries Wyman provided the first formal scientific description of the western gorilla. They originally placed them in the chimpanzee genus, naming them *Troglodytes gorilla*.

Physical characteristics vary greatly between males and females. Adult males are known as silverbacks because they develop silver hair on their backs reaching to the hips.

These males are much larger than females. A recorded silverback in Cameroon weighed 225 kilograms.

The tallest recorded silverback had an arm span of 274 centimeters and weighed 218 kilograms. Females are shorter and more slender. In terms of lifespan, wild gorillas live 35 to 40 years. However, some in captivity have lived over 50 years. The oldest male ever recorded was Ozoum, who lived to be 61 years and 24 days.

Gorillas live in diverse habitats ranging from sea-level swamps to high mountains.

Mountain gorillas live in high-altitude cloud forests and have the thickest hair to stay warm. Lowland gorillas live in dense forests and marshes. Their diets change based on where they live. Mountain gorillas eat mostly foliage like stems and shoots. Eastern lowland gorillas have more varied diets, with fruit making up 25% of what they eat. Western lowland gorillas rely heavily on fruit and must travel up to 22 kilometers per day to find it.

Interestingly, they rarely need to drink water because they get moisture from succulent plants and dew.

Conservation is a critical issue for these primates. Both the western and eastern species are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. The mountain gorilla is slightly less threatened, classified as Endangered.

There are approximately 316,000 western gorillas and 5,000 eastern gorillas remaining in the wild. They face many threats, including habitat destruction, disease, and poaching. Protecting their forests is essential for their survival. Scientists and conservationists continue to work in these regions to ensure these great apes do not disappear.