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Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
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Height:
Weight:
Gestation:
Litter Size:
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Up to 6 ft.
600 lb.
9 mo.
1 young
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Status:
The Lowland gorilla is an endangered species because of human
prosecution and habitat destruction.
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Report by Jesse
Picture of a Gorilla
Picture from ZooNet
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Physical Characteristics
Gorillas are the largest of the great apes. They can reach up to 6 feet tall and weighing 600 lb. They are thought of being ferocious and aggressive beasts but really they are shy and are peace-lovers. Usually gorillas have black fur on the body and is hairless on the face. They have very big nostrils and lips that pucker out.
Habitat, Daily Life and Feeding
Gorillas live in rain forests or places where there are a lot of trees. Gorillas communicate by huffing, coughing, hiccuping, burping and beating on the chest. The females and young sleep at night up in the trees while the male stays down below to protect its family. While active during the day, gorillas spend most of their day looking for food. Gorillas live in groups of 5- 30 members. They eat assorted leaves, stems, roots and rarely insects and bird eggs.
Reproduction and young
After a period of nine months a single young is born. The baby clings is able to cling on in a few days to its mother and ride its mothers back after 5-7 months. Females usually have babies every 3-4 years.
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