Gorilla

Ruggiero Richard, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons

on September 30, 2011

The gorilla’s arms are extremely long, enabling it to walk on all four limbs while keeping its head up.

Design

Gorilla

The gorilla’s arms are extremely long, enabling it to walk on all four limbs while keeping its head up. It is primarily terrestrial but is fully capable of climbing. Contrary to common belief, the gorilla is not afraid of water and will frequently wade in swamp forests in search of aquatic vegetation.

Features

  • The gorilla is the largest primate.
  • It is known for its black fur, large browridge, large nostrils, and short muzzle.
  • The dark hair on the back of one subspecies becomes silvery gray as it matures.

Fun Facts

  • Like the stripes on a tiger and the spots on a giraffe, no two gorillas have the same nose print.
  • The male gorilla can consume up to 50 lbs (23 kg) of vegetation a day.
  • A gorilla can laugh, smile, and purr.
  • It walks on its knuckles in order to protect its sensitive fingertips and to raise its body for more effective visual scanning.
  • When threatened, the male gorilla will stand upright and emit loud roars and grunts.

Created Kind Members

Western gorilla, eastern gorilla

CLASS: Mammalia (mammal)
ORDER: Primates (monkeys)
FAMILY: Pongidae (great apes)
GENUS/SPECIES: 2 subspecies: Gorilla gorilla gorilla and G. gorilla berengei (western lowland and eastern)

Size: Around 5 ft (1.5 m) when upright, 4 ft (1.2 m) in normal stance
Weight: Average about 400 lbs (181 kg); Males are heavier than females
Original Diet: Plants
Present Diet: Mostly plants, but also insects
Habitat: Forests of equatorial Africa

Zoo Guide

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