User:Xxagile/AfricanAnimals/Gorilla

Map showing location of Gorilla's in Africa.

What does it look like?

Gorillas move around by knuckle-walking on all fours. Adult males range in height from 165-175 cm (5 ft 5 in – 6ft), and in weight from 140–204.5 kg (310–450 lb). Adult females are often half the size of a silverback, averaging about 140 cm (4 ft 7 in-5ft) tall and 100 kg (220 lb). A Silverback is the name used to describe an adult male gorilla. All gorilla's have unique fingerprints.

What does it eat

Gorillas are herbivores, eating fruits, leaves, and bamboo shoots. Further they are classified as foliovores. Much like other animals that feed on plants and shoots, they sometimes ingest small insects also. Gorilla spend most of the day eating. Their long teeth allow them to crush hard plants like bamboo. Lowland gorillas feed mainly on fruit while Mountain gorillas feed mostly on herbs, stems and roots.

Male silverback Gorilla

Where do they live?

Gorilla's can be found in a small area of Africa, in the forests. Each evening, gorillas build nests in trees in which to spend the night. Up to the age of three, the young gorilla share their mothers' nest. However, they experiment with making their own nest at an early age. Gorilla's can most of the time be seen in the company of other Gorilla's. This is because the Gorilla is a sociable animal. Gorilla's like most primates groom each other.

How does it defend itself?

Gorilla's defend themselves by warning off other animals and predators with a warning signal. Usually a male gorilla will stand on his back two feet, make hooting noises, and pound on it's chest.