![]() In the wild, female gorillas usually deliver their first offspring at 10 – 11 years old and at 4year intervals thereafter. Gestation lasts from 250 to 270 days (8 – 9 months). Western Lowland Gorillas do not have a distinct breeding season. Males are not considered fully mature until about 15 years old. Male Western Lowland Gorillas sexually mature in the wild between 8 to 9 years old and in captivity as early as 6 years old. Western Lowland Gorillas sexually mature in the wild between the ages of 7 to 8 and in captivity approximately 5 and a half years old. ![]() Western Lowland Gorillas build a nest every night out of plant material to sleep in and a day nest for their midday rest. ![]() The silverback is the peace keeper and intervenes between occasional squabbles between female gorillas. Male Western Lowland Gorillas also use these displays as a show of dominance within the group.Īdult female gorillas can become aggressive when defending their infants, or while helping each other drive off rowdy, young adult male gorillas. There is very little conflict between groups that have overlapping territories, although when threatened, the male gorilla does everything it can to scare off the predator or trespasser.Īdult Western Lowland Gorillas perform elaborate displays, including chest beating, running sideways and tearing up vegetation to frighten off an intruding male or other threat. Western Lowland Gorillas are quiet, shy, non-aggressive animals. While Western Lowland Gorillas are social creatures and need other gorillas around to survive, the only very strong bond they form is the bond between a male gorilla and its female gorilla mates. During the mid-day break, young gorillas play with each other while the adults sleep. Western Lowland Gorillas will spend several hours of the morning eating, take a break in the middle of the day and then eat again before nightfall. The silverback gorilla is the dominant gorilla in the family and he regulates the schedule of his group. A group will consist of one adult silverback gorilla, several unrelated female gorillas and infant gorillas. ![]() Western Lowland Gorillas form small, non-territorial harems usually dominated by a single, mature male gorilla. The only predators to the Western Lowland Gorilla are leopards and human beings. Western Lowland Gorillas do not drink water as they get adequate moisture from the foilage they consume. Western Lowland Gorillas sometimes do eat insects such as termites and ants to supplement their diets. They survive primarily on fruit, leaves and foliage. Western Lowland Gorillas are omnivores, however, they are sometimes classed as herbivores because they mostly eat plants. When doing this, they walk on their knuckles which is known as ‘knuckle-walking’. Western Lowland Gorillas can walk for short distances on two legs however, they generally get around by walking on all fours. These adult gorillas are called ‘Silverbacks’. A gorillas face has no hair, however, they do have a thick ridge above their eyes.Ī mature male Western Lowland Gorilla has silver fur on its back. The Western Lowland Gorillas body is covered by short, thin grey-black or brown-black hair. Their considerable size gives them a good defence against predators and they live in relative safety on the ground, more so than any other primate. Western Lowland Gorillas have broad shoulders, a muscular neck and strong hands and feet. The Western Lowland Gorilla is the largest of all primates. ![]() The Western Lowland Gorilla lives in the tropical rainforests spread across six countries across west equatorial Africa which include: southeast Nigeria, Gabon, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo and Equatorial Guinea. The Western Lowland Gorilla (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla) belongs to the family ‘Pongidae’, which includes four species of great apes: the Gorilla, Common Chimpanzee, Bonobo or Pygmy Chimpanzee and Orangutan. ![]()
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