![]() ![]() By doing this, they benefit many other animals in the area and even help sustain the habitat of humans, who live in and around the forests. Gorillas are the largest of the great apes, but the western lowland gorilla is the smallest of the subspecies. They are key seed dispersers of tropical rainforests, creating suitable places for the seeds to grow and thus sustaining a number of plant species. Native to the Congo Basin, the western lowland gorilla is a quiet, peaceful and nonaggressive animal threatened by disease and poaching. Western gorillas are an important link in the ecosystem of their habitat. ![]() Currently, this species is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing. The IUCN Red List and other sources don’t provide the number of the Western gorilla total population size. Presently, one of the most notable threats to this species is the Ebola virus: despite the conservation status, outbreaks of this virus are still a serious concern for the Western gorillas' population. On the other hand, excessive collection by zoos and research institutions has brought to a sharp decline in their population, making the animal an endangered species. ![]() They have been persecuted, hunted for meat and big games, and captured for commercial trade. For over a century, Western gorillas have suffered from the degradation of their tropical rainforest habitat. Males are considerably larger than females. Both boast coats of short, thin, black hair, with reddish hair on the crown. With height and weight averaging at a respective 1.8 metres and 131.1 kilograms, adult males far outsize females (1.4 metres and 113.4 kilograms). Description Gorillas are the largest apes, but western lowland gorillas are the smallest gorillas. Of all four Gorilla subspecies, the Western Lowland Gorilla is the smallest. When mature, both genders leave their group to find another to prevent inbreeding.These animals are primarily threatened by human activities. Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Fun Fact: The western lowland gorilla is the only subspecies kept in zoos, with very rare exceptions. ![]() Males reach sexual maturity in 6-11 years and females in 6-8 years. They have many unique traits, such as individual nose-prints. After seven years of settling in, the Western lowland gorillas at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo are officially a cohesive troop 32-year-old Goma the troops. Lasting 250 to 285 days, gestation usually results in one offspring (twins are rare). The Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) lives to be about 30-40 years old in the wild, and up to 50 in captivity. Western Lowland Gorillas have broad shoulders, a muscular neck and strong hands and feet. They have been known live up to 40 years in. The Western Lowland Gorilla is the largest of all primates. They may be the smallest of all the gorilla subspecies, but an adult can weigh up to 270 kilograms in the wild and more in captivity. Almost all gorillas found in captivity or zoos are western lowland gorillas. Usually only the dominant silverback male gets to breed, but sometimes a troupe is led by multiple younger males (called “black backs” due to the lack of silver coloration on their back). Most Western lowland gorilla populations are found in the forests of the Republic of Congo. The female's estrus cycle occurs every 30-33 days. Gorillas eat more than 200 types of plants including fruits, flowers, shoots, bulbs, bark and leaves, as well as invertebrates (like ants and termites). Weight: Males up to 450 pounds females up to 250 pounds Height: Males up to 5.5 feet tall females up to 4.5 feet The hair of mature males from shoulders to rump grows gray with age giving them the nickname "silverback." Males have an enlarged sagittal crest, which is a bone ridge on the top of the cranium. Coarse black to brown hair covers the body except for the face, hands and feet. Gorillas have broad, strong teeth and large jaw muscles. Facts CR Status Critically Endangered Population Unknown Scientific Name Gorilla gorilla gorilla Height 4 to 5 ½ feet when standing on two feet Weight up to 440 pounds Map data provided by IUCN. Facial features include a prominent brow ridge, small eyes and ears, large nostrils and short muzzles. The western lowland gorilla has dark brown to black fur and black skin.
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