The difference among the four gorilla species

There are two major groups of gorillas that is western gorillas that is found in western and central Africa and eastern gorillas that is found in east and central Africa in Virunga massif range of Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda.

The two major groups are further divided into two subgroup each. Western gorillas are divided into cross river gorillas and western lowland gorillas. Whereas eastern gorillas are divided into mountain gorillas and eastern lowland gorillas.

All these four gorilla species are endangered and are at the risk of getting extinct however the effort has been put in place by UNESCO and region governments to ensure that these creatures are preserved for the generations to come.

In this article, we have looked at all the four endangered gorillas that are found on African continent and specified the place where you can find them while on your African vacation safari. They are closely related and that is why we have come up with packages that will take you through all the destinations where these species are found in their natural habitats search you are able to identify the true differences among these great apes.

The mountain gorillas

This great ape is one of two subspecies of the eastern gorilla and one of the world’s largest living primates. The mountain gorillas are found in Virunga massif range at the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Democratic republic of Congo in parks like Virunga national park, Mgahinga gorillas national park, Bwindi Impenetrable National Park and Volcanoes national park. It is estimated that Bwindi is a home to over a half of the remaining mountain gorilla’s population which is estimated to be less than 1000 gorillas.

Mountain gorillas leave in the altitudes and like other gorillas, they are majorly herbivore. They largely feed on bamboo shoots and that explain why they concentrate in Virunga massif range

Physical description mountain gorillas

These apes have muscular arms, a massive chest, and broad hands and feet — and they have longer hair and shorter arms than their lowland cousins. As we have already explained that mountain gorillas lives in higher altitude, that explains why the have longer hairs to insulate them from cold weather.

Mountain gorilla males can weigh 430 pounds and stand 6 feet tall. Females are a bit more “petite,” weighing 220 pounds and standing 5 feet tall. The natural lifespan for these great apes in the wild is between 40 and 50 years but they can go up to 60 years.

Lowland eastern gorillas

Another half of the eastern gorillas is a lowland gorilla subspecies that lives at a lower latitude compared to their cousins, the mountain gorillas. lowland gorillas are situated in Congo forests of Their main strongholds include Kahuzi-Biega and Maiko National Parks, but their range extends across unprotected areas of forest. An estimated three-quarters of eastern lowland gorilla habitat falls outside existing parks and nature reserves. Mountain gorillas are largest primate that do exist in the world.

Lowland gorillas are critically endangered with their population estimated to be 6500 gorillas that do still exist

Social life of eastern lowland gorillas

Like their cousins, the mountain gorillas, eastern lowland gorillas also live in the family led by the silverbacks. However, the size of the family of eastern gorilla is bigger than that of mountain gorillas. Lowland gorillas live in a group of a bout 30 gorillas whereas mountain gorillas live in smaller group of approximately 10 gorillas.

Physical description of lowland gorillas

Unusually, the gorilla’s thumbs are larger than the fingers. The face, ears, hands, and feet are bare, and the chest in old males lacks hair. Compared to the other eastern gorilla subspecies, the mountain gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla has shorter hair and teeth, and longer arms. The reason for the difference in hair is because eastern lowland gorillas live in low altitudes with warn temperature.

Cross river gorillas

Cross river gorillas live in the mountainous forests of Cameroon and Nigeria. With the population of between 200 to 300 gorillas, the cross-river gorillas is considered to be the world rarest living great ape.

What make cross river lowland different from the western lowland is noticeably smaller stature, skulls, and tooth measurements. The male cross river gorilla is estimated to be 5.9 feet and weighs 20 kilograms. The female is slightly smaller with a height of approximately 4.7 feet and 100kilograms.

Social life of cross river gorillas

Cross river gorillas live in the family with the estimation of only 11 families still in existence all over the world. These gorillas tend to construct their nest in trees during the wet season and bon the ground during the dry season.

Their preference diet are fruits which are in plenty during the wet season, but they resort on feeding at vegetation as the weather get dry and fruits become scarce.

Western lowland gorillas

Western lowland gorillas are the smallest among the four sub species of gorilla, Western lowland gorillas have shorter black-brown hair, longer arms, and a more prominent ridge along their brow. Like other species of gorillas, they are also endangered.

They are found in central and West Africa—including Cameroon, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Angola, and the Republic of Congo. These gorillas live in thick tropical rainforests, where they find plenty of food for their vegetarian diet. They eat roots, shoots, fruit, wild celery, and tree bark and pulp.

Like other gorillas, they do leave in the family of up to 30. The gorilla family is led by the dominant male called silverback. The troops like in other gorilla subspecies will contain other you blackbacks and other inferior silverbacks.

The 9 Days Uganda Rwanda primates Tour starts and ends in Kampala. It starts with a visit to Chimpanzee Sanctuary in Ngamba Islands, proceed to Queen Elizabeth National Park, Kyambura Gorge, Kibale Forest National Park, Bwindi National Park Home of Gorillas, cross to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park another home of gorillas. Expect activities such as game drives in search for some of the “Big 5” (African Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and Elephant), excellent bird watching, gorilla

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The 9 Days Uganda Tour starts and ends in Kampala. It will take you to Uganda’s un-spoilt wildlife destinations to experience Nature at its best. Explore all the best Uganda has to offer to tourists in the tropic Africa. Major tour activities in this tour include White water rafting, game drives in hunt for some of the “Big 5” (Rhino, African Lion, Leopard, Buffalo, and Elephant), birding, gorilla trekking, chimpanzee tracking, Cultural tours, nature walks and fantastic launch cruise among others.

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This 7 Days Rwanda Safari takes you to the prime safari destinations in Rwanda, the land of a thousand hills. Travel to Akagera National Park, the only savanna national park in Rwanda. Later travel to Nyungwe Forest National Park where you will enjoy chimpanzee tracking and a canopy walk. The trip ends in Volcanoes National Park where you will enjoy Gorilla Trekking Adventures. Book this trip to enjoy amazing primate Safaris in Rwanda. the trip is available for families also

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