Different Types of Gorilla Species

There are numerous gorilla species, each with its own distinctive characteristics. It is evident that gorillas are the largest primates on Earth.

They exhibit numerous behaviors that are reminiscent of humans and share a significant amount of DNA with humans.

The Western Gorilla and Eastern Gorilla are the two species of gorillas that exist on Earth.

Scientists have accorded significant recognition to two of its subspecies.

The western gorilla species is further divided into western lowland gorillas and cross river gorillas, while the eastern gorilla is further divided into eastern lowland gorillas and mountain gorillas.

Gorillas of the mountain range Various species of gorillas

Less than 900 mountain gorillas were left, rendering them critically endangered.

In the most recent gorilla census, their population exceeded 1,000.

Dian Fossey, an American primatologist, made it impossible for mountain gorillas to become extinct in the 19th century, despite the fact that her endeavors resulted in her death in 1985.

Poachers murdered her in cold blood.

Mountain gorillas are exclusively located in

• Uganda,
• Rwanda, and
• Congo,

specifically in Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Volcanoes National Park, and Virunga National Park. They are not found in any other location on the globe.

The Virunga Conservation Area, which serves as a boundary for the eight Virunga Mountains, is shared by Mgahinga volcanoes and Virunga.

This species of gorilla is frequently encountered by tourists during their gorilla trekking excursions.

Mountain gorillas, also known as Gorilla Beringe Beringei, are a species of gorilla that is endangered.

The names Beringe were derived from Captain Robert Von Beringe Friedrich, who in 1902 shot two animals that were previously unknown but were mountain gorillas.

In contrast to eastern lowland gorillas, mountain gorillas possess thicker epidermis and longer, denser fur. Additionally, their habitats are distinct.

Silver fur is developed on the quadriceps and backs of male mountain gorillas. The hair on their backs is shorter.

A mountain gorilla’s gestation period is 8–9 months.

The birth rate of female mountain gorillas is extremely low, as they sexually mature at a young age but are only fertile for 1-2 days per month.

Similar to human infants, gorillas are born weighing approximately 2 kilograms and remain attached to their mothers for up to 4 years, subsisting exclusively on breast milk.

The dominant silverbacks, who are also in charge of the group’s safety, determine its daily activities.

They are always willing to risk their lives in order to safeguard their family members.

Mountain gorillas are herbivores, but they occasionally augment their diet with insects, termites, and larvae.

Eastern lowland gorillas

Lowland gorilla trekking lasting three days in Congo’s Kahuzi-Biega National Park

The largest gorilla species is the eastern lowland gorilla, also known as Gorilla Beringei Graueri.

The scientific name was derived from Rudolf Grauer, an Austrian scientist who first identified the species in the nineteenth century.

Eastern lowland gorillas are exclusively located in the following locations:

• Kahuzi-Beiga National Park,
• Maiko National Park,
• the Itombwe mountains region, and
• Tayna Gorilla Reserve.

The primary habitat of this gorilla species is lowland and mountain tropical forests. In contrast to mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas are capable of thriving in sanctuaries.

The dark fur pelt of eastern lowland gorillas is shorter than that of mountain gorillas.

They have a large skull in comparison to the remainder of their body.

Male eastern lowland gorillas can weigh as much as 250 kilograms.

Western lowland gorillas:

4-day Congo lowland gorilla trekking and Lwiro gorilla visit

The western lowland gorillas are located in the

• Democratic Republic of Congo,
• Angola,
• Cameroon,
• Gabon, and
• Equatorial Guinea.

In institutions, Western lowland gorillas can weigh as much as 270 kilograms or more.

The Western lowland gorilla

is the smallest subspecies of gorilla, and it is distinguished by the greyish-brown fur that covers portions of its epidermis.

Silver hair is also acquired by females on their upper thighs and backs as they mature.

Western lowland gorillas are also prevalent in sanctuaries due to their ability to endure captivity.

Additionally, adult male “silverbacks” dominate Western lowland gorilla communities, and they are the sole owners of all decision-making rights.

Female western lowland gorillas are capable of reproducing at the age of 9–10 years and have only 1-3 fertile days per month.

Western gorillas Congo for four-day community tour and Lowland Gorillas in Bukavu

The Western gorillas are classified into two subspecies: western lowland gorillas and cross-river gorillas.

They are exclusively herbivores, consuming leaves, shoots, vegetation, buds, stems, and fruits. They also occasionally consume termites, insects, worms, and grubs.

This species of gorillas is found in the following countries:

• Cameroon,
• Angola,
• Equatorial Guinea,
• Central African Republic,
• Gabon, and
• Congo.

They reside in marshy forests, lowland tropical forests, and primary and secondary forests.

Male western gorillas can weigh up to 157 kilograms, while females can weigh up to 80 kilograms.

They possess robust jaw musculature. Their muzzle is short, and they can travel up to four kilometers in search of sustenance each day.

Cross River Gorillas Three-Day Lowland Gorillas & Snake’s Park Tour in Bukavu

Gorilla Gorilla Dielhi is another name for the Cross River gorilla.

In 1904, it was classified as a novel species; however, there was limited knowledge of it until additional research was conducted in the 1980s.

Males can reach a height of 1.75 meters and a weight of up to 200 kilograms, while females can reach a height of 1.40 meters and a weight of up to 100 kilograms.

The Cross River gorilla is one of the most endangered gorilla species, with an estimated 200 remaining in the wild.

Similar to other gorillas, females undergo a gestation period of approximately 8–9 months. An alpha silverback serves as the group’s leader, organizing its daily activities.

Eastern Gorillas

Evaluating the Difficulty of Gorilla Trekking in Rwanda, Congo, and Uganda

Gorilla Beringei is another name for eastern gorillas.

They possess two subspecies of mountain gorilla and eastern lowland gorilla.

The male eastern lowland gorilla can weigh between 140 and 200 kilograms, while females can weigh between 90 and 100 kilograms.

The appellation “silverbacks” is derived from the fact that eastern gorillas develop a layer of silver hair on their backs as they mature.

This species is located in the Virunga ranges of Uganda, Rwanda, and the western region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Eastern gorillas are diurnal and spend approximately 30% of the day feeding and 40% lounging.

They construct shelters on the ground or atop trees to accommodate their sleeping quarters. New homes are constructed on a daily basis.

The males are polygamous; however, only the dominant male is permitted to reproduce with the females in the group.

In order to acquire mating rights, a juvenile must either challenge the dominant silverback to a victory or abandon his natal group and establish their own.