Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) is the largest member of the hominid family and one of the closest relatives of humans. Despite their impressive size and strength, these primates are known for their calm disposition and peacefulness. They live in the dense rainforests of West and Central Africa, spending most of their time on the ground. Their lives are closely linked to group interaction, and their social structure is based on care and protection.
📚 Classification
• Kingdom: Animalia (Animalia)
• Type: Chordates (Chordata)
• Class: Mammals (Mammalia)
• Order: Primates (Primates)
- Family: Hominidae (Hominidae)
- Species: Gorilla (Gorilla)
• View: Gorilla gorilla
👀 Appearance
- Height: males 160-175 cm, females 140-150 cm
- Weight: males 140-180 kg, females 70-100 kg
- Life expectancy: 35-40 years in the wild, up to 50 years in captivity
The body is massive with long, powerful arms and shorter legs. The coat is dark brown or black, and adult males have silver hair on their backs and thighs - hence the name "silver back". The face is hairless, with a broad, flat nose and expressive dark eyes.
🌍 Range and habitat
- Range: Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, southern Nigeria
• Not found in Ukraine, kept in zoos
Western gorillas prefer tropical rain forests, marshlands, and savannah-forest areas. They usually live at altitudes up to 1600 m above sea level, spending most of their time on the ground, but can climb trees, especially young individuals.
🐾 Behavior and social life
- They live in groups (trails) of 5 to 30 individuals
- The leader is an adult male "silverback"
- The group includes several females and their cubs
- Communicate with more than 20 different sounds, facial expressions and gestures
Gorillas are diurnal animals. They spend the morning and evening searching for food, and rest in the shade during the day. At night, each member of the group makes a nest of branches and leaves on the ground or trees. The leader protects the group from predators and other males.
🌿 Food
- Mostly herbivorous: leaves, shoots, stems, bark
- Fruits make up a significant part of the diet in season
- Additionally consume ants and termites
- They can eat up to 20 kg of food per day
Gorillas play an important role in seed dispersal, as many fruits germinate only after passing through their digestive tract.
🐣 Reproduction
- Sexual maturity: females 8-10 years old, males 12-15 years old
- Pregnancy: ~8.5 months
- Offspring: 1 cub (twins are rare)
- A mother takes care of a baby up to 3-4 years old
During the first months, babies are constantly holding on to their mothers, and from the age of six months they begin to play with other children in the group.
⚠️ Human interaction
- Suffers from poaching (hunting for meat)
- Falls victim to human-borne diseases (e.g., Ebola)
- Human activity is destroying their forests
Researchers and ecotourism play an important role in the conservation of the species, but any contact with humans must be controlled to avoid disease transmission.
📉 Conservation status
- IUCN: Critically Endangered (Critically Endangered)
- Population: sharply declining
- Main threats: deforestation, poaching, diseases
💡 Interesting facts
✔️ Genetically matched to human 98-99%
✔️ Can learn sign language and use simple tools
✔️ Resting heart rate is only about 25 beats per minute
✔️ They know how to recognize themselves in the mirror
✔️ Breasts are "beaten" not for battle, but as a way of communication and demonstration of status
✅ Conclusion
The western gorilla is a symbol of strength, but also an example of caring, social life among animals. The conservation of this species depends on protecting their forests and stopping poaching. It is not only a key element of African ecosystems, but also our close relative in the natural world 🦍🌿.
