Western Lowland Gorilla

Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla

Scientific Name

Western Lowland Gorilla:  
Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla

Distribution and Habitat

Geographic Range

Lowland gorillas may be found in the area of the Congo River basin in west-central Africa.

Natural Habitat

These gorillas can be found in lowland rainforests.

Physical Characteristics

  • Gorillas are the largest members of the primate family.  Height ranges from four to six feet and weight ranges from 150-450 pounds.  A gorilla’s arm span can reach lengths of nine feet and is greater than their standing height.  Males tend to be larger and heavier than the females.  Like other apes, they have no tails.  Their hair is coarse and black, sometimes brown closer to the head.  A saddle of gray hair develops across the lower back of mature males, hence the name silverback.  Mature males also possess a pad of skin and connective tissue on their crowns which gives their head a conical shape.

Quick Facts

  1. Gorillas communicate with posture, facial expressions and vocalizations.  The chest-beating display of males is a ritualized sequence of nine discreet acts culminating in chest-beating with cupped hands. Its function is most likely intimidation not a threat.

  2. Gorillas are the rarest of man-like apes.

     

Exhibit

Gorilla House

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered: The Western Lowland Gorilla is facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

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Diet

Omnivore

Gorillas are herbivorous and feed on wild celery, roots, tree bark, pulp, fruit and bamboo shoots. In human care they are fed primate biscuits and a variety of vegetables consisting mostly of leafy greens. Alfalfa hay and straw is provided both on and off exhibit for nest construction.