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Gorilla Gifts

Gorillas are the largest of the living primates. They are ground-dwelling and predominantly herbivorous. They inhabit the forests of central Africa. Gorillas are divided into two species and either four or five subspecies. The DNA of gorillas is 98%–99% identical to that of a human, and they are the next closest living relatives to humans after the two chimpanzee species. Gorillas live in tropical or subtropical forests. Although their range covers a small percentage of Africa, gorillas cover a wide range of elevations.

Silverbacks are the strong, dominant troop leaders. Each typically leads a troop (group size ranges from 5 to 30) and is in the center of the troop's attention, making all the decisions, mediating conflicts, determining the movements of the group, leading the others to feeding sites and taking responsibility for the safety and well-being of the troop. Blackbacks may serve as backup protection.


Gorilla Overview

Facts About Gorillas

Gorillas are sometimes referred to the “King of the Apes”. Gorillas are members of the great ape family which also includes: chimpanzees, orangutans, and bonobos.

Gorillas are peaceful and social creatures. Gorillas live in groups of up to twenty. Gorillas spend most of their lives on the group but they will often climb into lower tree branches to find leaves, bark, roots and fruit to eat.

Gorillas live in groups of females and their young. The group is led by a senior male gorilla known as a Silverback gorilla. The Silverback defends his group with an elaborate display to intimidate predators.

Gorillas may beat their chest to warn of danger or to tell an intruder they are not welcome.. When two gorilla groups meet, the dominant male Silverbacks put on elaborate displays in an attempt to intimidate each other. Silverback Gorillas stand more than 5 1/2 feet tall and weigh an average of 350 lbs. Male gorillas can be twice the size of female gorillas.

Gorillas only travel 400 yards per day. Gorillas often eat succulents or plants that hold water, as a result gorillas rarely need to drink water in the wild. Gorillas will also link or drink water off of a leaf.

Gorillas were once hunted for their hands and feet which were sold for tourist souveniers. It is now illegal to hunt Gorillas, but some species have still not recovered, and are close to extinction.

The flare and shape of a gorilla’s nostril are unique to each gorilla, similar to a human's fingerprints.

About the Author
Jacob Maddox manages content for Wildlife Animals http://www.wildlife-animals.com an educational wildlife and animal website. Jacob also guest writes for Dog Pound http://www.dog-pound.net

Gorilla Gifts

 

 

 
 
 
 
 

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