Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Western Gorilla




Animals Unique | Western Gorilla |
The western gorilla gorilla is one of two sub-groups found on the African continent (the other being the eastern gorilla). The western gorilla is the most Numerous species of gorilla and also the larger out of the two.
 
The western gorilla is found inhabiting the tropical jungles and forests of western and central Africa, along with Lowland swamps and secondary forests. All western gorillas are now critically endangered Considered to be as much of Their natural habitat has now been deforested or taken over by Humans.

There are two separate sub-species of the which are the western gorilla western Lowland gorillas and the cross river gorilla. Although only slightly different in appearance, the two western gorilla species are distinguished by there differing skull and tooth sizes.

The western gorilla is one of the great apes, a group That includes one-utans, gorillas, chimpanzees and Humans. As with the other great apes, the western gorilla has a number of features the which makes living in the jungle a bit Easier, Including having opposable thumbs come in handy when the which the western gorilla is peeling fruit.

The western gorilla is an omnivorous animal, but the majority of it's diet is made up of eating fruit the which the western gorilla is known to travel the vast distances through the forests to find. The western gorilla also eats leaves, nuts and berries, along with insects and occasionally small animals and rodents Such as lizards. The western gorilla has also been observed using basic tools in the wild in order to more Effectively gather food.

 
Due to it's large size, the western gorilla has few real predators in it's native African forests, with large cats Such as leopards and the odd crocodile being the only real natural threat to the western gorilla. The biggest threat to the western gorilla habitat loss is Caused by deforestation and also being hunted by Humans. Parts of the western gorilla's territory has also been taken over by Civil Unrest in recent years, which, along with poaching, has had a truly devastating affect on Wild Populations.

The western gorilla groups tends to live in the which are led and protected by the alpha male. The western gorilla alpha male also mates with the Females in his group, producing Generally single offspring, known as babies. The western gorilla babies with Their mother until REMAIN They are a few years old and Become Independent.

Today, all western gorillas are critically endangered species, but there are thought to be 95.000 western Lowland gorillas remaining in the wild, significantly more than the cross river gorilla Their cousins, Whose numbers in the wild are thought to to as low as 300 individuals.

Western Gorilla Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Primates
Family: Hominidae
Genus: Gorilla
Scientific Name: Gorilla Gorilla
Type: Mammal
Diet: Herbivore
Size (H): 1.4m - 1.7m (4.7ft - 5.5ft)
Weight: 100kg - 200kg (220lbs - 440lbs)
Top Speed: 40km / h (25mph)
Life Span: 35-50 years
Lifestyle: Troop
Conservation Status: Critically Endangered
Colour: Black, Grey
Skin Type: Hair
Favourite Food: Leaves
Habitat: Rainforest and dense jungle
Average Litter Size: 1
Main Prey: Leaves, Fruit, Flowers
Predators: Human, Leopard, Crocodile
Special Features: Large head and long arms

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