Western lowland gorilla

There are two species of gorilla: the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) and the eastern gorilla (Gorilla beringei). Within each species there are two subspecies. The eastern gorilla subspecies are the mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) and the eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri). The western gorilla subspecies are the western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) and the cross river gorilla (Gorilla gorilla diehli).

Gorillas are the largest of the primates. Western lowland gorillas are the smallest of the four sub-species. The males, on average, weigh approximately 135 - 220 kg and the females weigh about half of that, around 70 - 90 kg. They are sexually dimorphic. The male is very stocky and powerful in the body, with wide shoulders and chest. The females are much smaller and slimmer. Gorillas develop a “sagittal crest” which is a ridge of bone on top of their head. The male’s crest is more prominent than the female’s. The heavy muscled head and shoulder area of the adult male is what really identifies him in the wild from the female when only the head is showing. The nostrils are large and flaring, the ears small and close to the head, the eyes are wide set and expressive. The muscular arms are longer than the short thick legs, and the broad hands are equipped with short fingers and thumbs.

The colour of the coat varies considerably, ranging from black, silver and shades of red. Black is the most common. Gorilla skin is also black. As a male gorilla reaches physical maturity (between 12 and 15 years of age), he develops his silvery grey colouration giving them the name “silverback”. Old males often lack chest hair. The face, ears, palms and soles of the feet are bare.

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