Range

This species natural home is Africa. The western lowland gorilla is the most widespread of all the gorilla subspecies. They can be found in Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Gabon, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Habitat

Western lowland gorillas make their home in tropical rainforests, swamp forests, brush, secondary forests, abandoned farming areas, riverine forests, clearings and forest edges.

Reproduction

Female gorillas are able to breed once they turn 8. The males are not considered mature until they are 15. Only the alpha male in a group will mate with the females to produce young. Western lowland gorillas have a gestation period similar to humans (9 months). After this time a single infant is born on most occasions.

After the female gives birth she will cut her own umbilical cord. Her infant will have a sparse covering of fur over its pinky-grey skin. The baby is born helpless and needs to be carried around by the mother in her arms.

The baby is held close to the belly of the mother for two months until it can hang on by itself. Once it has learnt how to cling on it will spend another two months on the belly. After this it will move to the back of the mother where it rides until it is three years old. Infants may be under the care of their mother for up to 5 years.

Behaviour

Western lowland gorillas maintain a home range but it is not strict. Regularly they have been seen allowing other gorillas to enter this range. The main point of this area is to follow the seasonal patterns around it to find food.

This species is highly social. An average group has a silverback male, three females and their offspring. Young males who have left their natal group will branch out and move around on their own or in small groups. When females leave they do not move around alone. They will jump between different groups until they find one to settle in.

Each night the western lowland gorilla will construct a nest in which they can sleep. They also create one of these for their midday nap. During the morning they eat and then go in for a nap at midday. By afternoon they are out foraging again before sleeping again at nightfall.

Gorillas communicate using over 25 noises which include hoots, barks, screams, laughs and grunts.

Humans, crocodiles and leopards are the predators of western lowland gorillas. To scare these off they may use chest beating, running sideways and tearing up vegetation. These may also be used to display their dominance in the group.

To assist in peeling fruit the western lowland gorilla has opposable thumbs like humans do.

Quick facts

Gorillas are affected by the Ebola virus with 2 major outbreaks being reported in 2003 and 2004.

Western lowland gorillas are very intelligent. They make a range of tools which simplify their foraging process. One famous gorilla, Koko managed to learn 1,000 signs.

An albino western lowland gorilla was once caught. She lived at the Barcelona Zoo and was known as Snowflake.

The male gorillas are regularly prone to cardiomyothapy.

Western lowland gorillas are the most common variety found in zoos.

Between the ages of 3 and 6 western lowland gorillas are regularly referred to as human-like.