Cross River Gorilla
Mountain Gorilla
Western Lowland Gorilla
Eastern Lowland Gorilla
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There are two species of gorillas in the
world- the eastern gorilla and the western gorilla. However,
they both contain two subspecies. The eastern gorilla species
consists of the Mountain gorilla and the Eastern Lowland
gorilla. The western gorilla species consists of the Cross
River gorilla and the Western Lowland gorilla. Both species
live in tropical and subtropical regions of the African
continent. The only differences between these two species are
the size of the noise and their sound when they communicate.
The eastern gorilla is also often bigger than the western
gorilla. What they do have in common is that both species are
endangered due to the destruction of their natural habitats.
Cross River Gorilla |
Cross River gorillas are
scattered across the forests and rain forests of Cameroon
and Nigeria, an area about 3,000 square miles. They are
about 4 to 5 1/2 feet when standing on two feet and can
weigh up to 440 pounds.The region that they live in is
heavily populated by humans who clear these forests for
timber and create fields for agriculture and livestock.
Poaching also occurs in the forests, which contributes to
their already small population of 200-300 individuals. They
are currently critically endangered. However, WWF is working
with others, as well as the governments of Cameroon and
Nigeria, to create a protected area for the gorillas that
stretch across the border of the two countries. |
Mountain Gorilla |
The Mountain gorilla lives in
forests at elevations from 8,000 to 13,000 feet. They reside
in the Virunga Mountains, which border the Democratic
Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Like the Cross River
gorilla, they are about 4 to 5 1/2 feet when standing and
weigh up to 440 pounds. They have thicker and more abundant
fur, which helps them stay warm when temperatures drop. As
humans move more into the mountains where they reside, the
gorillas are forced to move further up into the mountains
where the climate is more dangerous and even deadly. They
are also critically endangered, and their population is
about 880 individuals. |
Western Lowland Gorilla |
The Western Lowland gorilla
is the most abundant of all gorilla subspecies. They are
found throughout the region from Cameroon to the Republic of
Congo. The number of these gorillas is not known because
there are some that live deep in the rain forests of Africa,
however most live in isolated swamps and in the Republic of
Congo. Compared to other subspecies, they are smaller, have
brown-grey coats and auburn chests, wider skulls, and
smaller ears. However, they also are about 4 to 5 1/2 feet
tall and weigh 440 pounds. Due to poaching, the population
has decreased its numbers by more than 60% within the last
20-25 years. They are considered critically endangered as
well. |
| t Eastern Lowland Gorilla |
The Eastern Lowland gorilla
lives in the tropical rain forests of the Democratic
Republic of Congo. In the last 50 years, their historical
range has decreased from 8,1000 swaure miles to about 5,600
square miles. They only occupy about 13% of their original
range, as population declined more than 50% since the
mid-1990's. Despite their size, they are also vulnerable to
poaching, even in protected areas. Like the other
subspecies, they are considered critically endangered. They
also are about 4 to 5 1/2 feet tall and weigh 440 pounds.
This species of gorilla is the largest of the four
subspecies. Unlike the other subspecies, the Eastern Lowland
gorilla has a stocky body, large hands, and a short muzzle.
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