Large males, with large body size, canines, and jaw musculature, have increased physical and social power within the group. This marked sexual dimorphism is critical in group structure and mating. On average, females are only 1.25 meters tall. Male gorillas have stocky bodies standing usually 1.75 meters in height with bent knees.
In the wild, male gorillas average 180 kg, with females often almost half that weight. Males are usually larger than females, reaching weights up to 275 kg in captivity. Western gorillas have a slightly more brown/grey coat color with shorter hair and are usually slightly smaller than mountain gorillas ( G. This coloration pattern has resulted in older males being known as "silverbacks". Generally, the hair on the back and rump of older males grows grey and is lost with age. Coarse, dark hair covers the entire body except for the face, ears, hands, and feet. Western gorillas have large jaw muscles and broad, strong teeth. Facial features include short muzzles, a prominent brow ridge, large nostrils, and small eyes and ears. Western gorillas are exceptionally large and powerful primates. ( "Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia '99 CD-ROM", 1999 Deblase and Martin, 1981 MacDonald, 1987) ( Deblase and Martin, 1981 MacDonald, 1987 Wilson and Reeder, 1993 Deblase and Martin, 1981 MacDonald, 1987 Wilson and Reeder, 1993 Deblase and Martin, 1981 IUCN, 2008 MacDonald, 1987 Wilson and Reeder, 1993)Īfrica's tropical secondary forests, where the open canopy allows much light to reach the forest floor, provide the best habitat for western gorillas. Gorilla gorilla diehli, eastern lowland gorilla, is found in a small part of the Nigerian/Cameroon border in the upper drainage of the Cross River. gorilla, western lowland gorilla, occurs in Cameroon south to the Congo River and east to the Oubangi River. Western or lowland gorillas inhabit the forests of equatorial Africa from the western lowlands near the Cameroon coast through the Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Angola, and possibly the Democratic Republic of Congo.
0 kommentar(er)
