GORILLA’S

Although gorillas have evolved from other primates they were not put into there own category until 1847.There are now 2 categories and 5 subcategories.

This gorilla in the small picture belongs to the mountain gorilla category. The one on the left is a western lowland gorilla.

http://www.seaworld.org/soundlibrary/gorilla.wav

Gorilla

They are the most fascinating “animal” known to man. Their physical characteristics and personality are so similar to humans that its almost impossible to believe that we are not some how related to the gorilla. Man’s fascination with gorilla’s can be recorded back as far as 2,500 years ago when an explorer from ancient Carthage named this primate gorilla. The translation of the name gorilla is “hairy person”. Since the discovery of gorillas there have been many books, paintings and movies written regarding these gentle creatures. Once they were feared as seen in the movie King Kong, but they are now more understood and loved by many, thanks to the help of movies like Gorillas in the mist.

PHYSICAL APPERANCE

Gorillas have two arms and two legs, just like man. There large bodies are covered in thick hair, except for their face and the palms of hands and feet. The height of a male gorilla ranges from 5'6 to 5'9. The males weight about 300 to 400 lbs. in the wild, females weigh about half of that. Their fur is brownish to black and dominant adult males have a silver back. Gorillas are knuckle walkers, which means they do not normally walk upright. Gorillas have enormously powerful arms; most of their strength is in their arms. Their feet are also used for grabbing things; such as food. The faces of gorillas are different from one another, just like humans have different faces.

HABITAT

Gorillas live in the dense forests of Africa. The eastern lowland gorilla lives in the Bwindi forest, which is located in Uganda. Mountain gorillas live near the Virunga Volcanoes area of Rwanda. The Western part of Africa is home to the endangered Cross River Gorilla and the Western lowland gorilla. Gorillas usually stay in a small area referred to as a range and travel very little. Gorillas usually stick to the ground for travel, but do often bed in trees. Below is a map of where gorilla populations are concentrated.

DIET

The diet of a gorilla will greatly depend on the region where it is located. Gorillas are generally herbivores, but occasionally eat bird eggs and insects. They eat a variety of leaves, stems, roots, and fruit. Mountain gorillas eat only leaves, stems, and roots because fruit is unavailable. A few of the gorilla’s favorites are: wild bananas, wild celery, ginger, and tapioca. A typical gorilla will consume up to 40 pounds of vegetation in a day. Gorillas in the wild do not normally need to drink water because moisture is provided in the lush vegetation.

COMMUNICATION

Gorillas are extremely intelligent animals and use many means of communication in the wild. Different facial expressions are used to communicate anger, happiness, aggression, and fascination. Grunts and other verbal noises are used to communicate such things as pleasure during eating. To ward off predators, gorillas will stand on their legs and beat their chest. Gorillas in captivity still use these facial and physical gestures but in addition some have been taught sign language. These captive gorillas have used their sign language to communicate their physical and emotional needs.

http://sunsite.sut.ac.jp/multimed/sounds/sound_effects/animals

REPRODUCTION

One dominant male mates with several females in the troop. The dominant male or silver back is usually the only adult male in the troop. The females have no set breeding season, their menstrual cycle last for about 31 days. Gestation period is about 258 days long. The baby gorilla, weighing only 5 pounds at birth, is usually weaned at the age of two and nests with the mom until the age of three. Females give birth to their first young at around age 10. Males are usually chased out of the troop at around age 13; this is the age when they develop their silver backs.

PREDATORS

Gorillas are fierce animals with very few natural predators. One of their combaters is the crocodile, not a normal occurrence, but battles have occurred between these two powerful animals. Another animal in the wild that has gone against a gorilla is the leopard; with its power and speed it has been known to win a few fights. The main danger to gorilla is humans. Africa’s population is growing so rapidly the housing and farming industries are destroying many areas in which gorillas have lived for centuries. The political situation in Africa is also very volatile; many gorillas are killed in cross fire as an internal war is being fought. Another sad danger to gorillas is the practice of killing them for their meat. Local people kill and eat gorillas; their meat is referred to as “bush meat”. In some areas it is considered a delicacy.

CONSERVATION

Currently there are many organizations working toward the protection of gorillas. One such group is the Diane Fossey organization. They work with rescuing gorillas and educating locals. The main problem with gorilla conservation is the dealing with a hostile government. One solution that seems to be working is the lure of tourism dollars that the gorillas have brought to Africa. Many westerners have paid large amounts of money to take guided tours of gorilla habitats. This, along with constant conservation efforts, will hopefully save the wild gorilla population. Gorilla conservation is a must for many reasons. Not only do they act as a tool in seed dispersal but they also give us genetic and behavioral clues on our own primitive past.

CAPTIVITY

Gorillas have done well in captivity. According to International Species Information System, there are 718 gorillas currently living in captivity. Most of the gorillas in captivity are western lowland gorillas; only 4 are eastern lowland gorillas. Baby gorilla’s births are a regular occurrence in the zoo. There has even been the birth of a test tube baby gorilla. Many sanctuaries have been created in places such as; Hawaii, Georgia, and California to recreate a natural setting for these gentle giants. While gorillas do well in captivity, society needs to make sure not to neglect their natural preservation.

SOURCES

1.http://www.selu.com/bio/gorilla/index.html

2.http://www.seaworld.org

3.http://www.everwonder.com/david/gorillas

4.www-rcf.usc.edu/~stanford/bigap

5.John Bonnet Wexo: Zoobooks, gorillas, Buffalo, Wyoming

1999