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Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)
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Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla)

From Laura Klappenbach,
Your Guide to Animals / Wildlife.
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Description: Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla) are the largest and strongest of all the great apes (humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas and orang-utans). Full grown adult male gorillas are between 150 and 170 cm in height and weigh between 135 and 230 kg. Females are slightly smaller and weigh less.
In addition to being the largest of the apes, Gorillas are also the most endangered. The face numerous threats including habitat loss, hunting, and disease (such as Ebola). Gorillas also inhabit regions of political instability where civil wars rage. This creates a dangerous environment for the gorillas and makes conservation efforts very difficult.
Classification:
  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Mammalia
  • Order: Primates
  • Family: Hominidae
  • Genus: Gorilla
  • Species: Gorilla gorilla

New to animal classification? Find out more about how scientists classify animals.

Additionally, there are four subspecies of gorillas:

  • Mountain gorillas
  • Grauer's gorillas
  • Western lowland gorillas
  • Cross River gorillas

Find out more: About Gorilla Subspecies (WWF)

Habitat: Equatorial regions of Africa.
Diet: Vegetarian. Leaves, shoots, stems, bark.
Status: Endangered. Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future due to exploitation, a decline in territory, and a decline in quality of habitat. Source: IUCN Data Sheet for Gorilla gorilla.
References:
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